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HISTORY 

OF THE 

TOWN OF GROTON, 

INCLUDING PEPPEEELL AND SHIRLEV, 



FROM THE 



FIRST GRANT OF GROTON PLANTATION IN 1655. 

WITH APPENDICES, 

CONTAINING 

FAMILY REGISTERS, TOWN AND STATE OFFICERS, POPULATION, 
AND OTHER STATISTICS. 



BY CALEB BUTLER. 



"Pleraque eorum quae referam parva forsitan et levia memoratu videri, non 
nescius sum." — Tacitus. 

" Small things, in the beginning of natural or politic bodies, are as remarkable 
as greater, in bodies full grown." — Qov. Dudley's Letter to Countess of Lincoln. 



BOSTON : 

PRESS OF T. R. MARVIN, 

No. 24 CoNOBBss Street. 

1848. 



■:i 



,n/. 



DESCENDANTS OF THE FIRST SETTLERS 

o? 

OLD GROTON, 

WHEREVER SCATTERED ABROAD, 

AND TO THa 

PRESENT INHABITANTS OF GROTON, PEPPERELL. AND SHIRLEY. 

THB 

FOLLOWING COMPILATIONS AND REMINISCENCES 
ARE RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED, 

BY- THBia HUMBLK SBRVANT, 

C. BUTLER. 



PREFACE. 



Chronicles of events and occurrences which 
happened to the inhabitants of those towns in New 
England which began to be settled during the first 
half century after the landing of the Pilgrim Fathers 
at Plymouth, have become almost universal. The 
reminiscences furnished by these local histories 
are interesting to the present generation on 
several accounts. They afford us the means of 
comparing the hardships, trials and privations en- 
dured by our progenitors, with the ease, comforts 
and abundance enjoyed by us ; a comparison, which 
may well reconcile us to the trifling inconveniences 
and molestations we too often permit to make us 
discontented. A kind of melancholy pleasure is 
afforded by contemplating the courage with which 
they met, the fortitude with which they sustained, 
and the patience with which they endured the dan- 
gers, difficulties and destitutions to which they were 
constantly exposed. They will also furnish the 
future historian with materials for a more general, 
comprehensive and philosophical narrative. 

Groton, it is thought, affords as many incidents 
worthy of record, as almost any town in New 



VI PREFACE. 



England settled as late as 1655. It had its full 
proportion of suffering with Svvanzey, Brookfield, 
Deerfield, Hadlej, Laneaster, Medfield, Sudbury, 
&€., in the Indian wars of 1675 and 1676, and of 
1694. its efforts and exertions also in the war of 
the Revolution, and the part taken by some of its 
inhabitants in the insurrection of 1787, deserve to 
be remembered ; the former for praise and imitation, 
the latter for caution and avoidance. 

In its topographical character, the fertility and 
productions of its soil, its eligible situation, and its 
literary and other advantages, it bears a favorable 
comparison with any other town equally remote 
from navigation and from the metropolis. The 
characters of some of its first settlers and suc- 
ceeding inhabitants are not without interest, both 
for instruction and amusement. Unfortunately, 
however, the time for successfully collecting, digest- 
ing, and recording the incidents of by-gone times, 
necessary to a complete history, has been too long 
deferred. Many transactions and occurrences com- 
mitted only to frail and erring memory, are either 
wholly lost, or are so faded and shadowed, that their 
beauty and correctness cannot be depended on ; and 
others, though placed upon record at the time they 
happened, have been corrupted by " moth and 
rust." 

As the habits, modes of living, opinions eccle- 
siastical or political, individual characters, and in 
line the whole history of any people, can be better 
learned from their own sayings, acts, and writings, 
than from description, the following pages are rather 



PREFACE. Vll 



a compilation of facts and documents, co])ies of pub- 
lic records, and other printed or written testimo- 
nials, than a regular history of the towns to which 
they relate. One main object of the author in 
taking copies, in preference to reciting in his own 
language, is to preserve the principal matters con- 
tained in three or four volumes of the oldest records 
of Groton, in the language and style of the clerks 
who penned them, from being entirely lost. They 
are already, by age and being often handled, much 
defaced and worn, and unless now or very soon 
copied, they will be illegible. The family registers 
of marriages, births and deaths, in the Appendices, 
will save much time and trouble in searching the 
originals, and preserve the records from total de- 
struction for a longer time to come. 

The reader is apprised that the orthography of 
the original has been made to conform to modern 
usage, but the words, with all their improprieties, 
bad construction and false grammar, have not been 
altered. It is thought that exact copies, verbatim 
et literatim^ would disgust, rather than instruct or 
amuse. 

In copies from the old records, dates are uniformly 
set down as they are found, except an error of the 
clerk has been rendered certain. Some improprieties 
will be found, especially in the Appendix, such as 
Nov. 31, Feb. 29, when not bissextile, children of 
the same parents born apparently within six months 
of each other ; but these are few. In dates previous 
to 1752, there is liability to err by not noticing the 
difference between old and new style ; and from 



Vlll PREFACE. 



January 1, to March 25, by a difference in com- 
mencing the year. That the reader may guard 
against errors in these dates, and understand how 
to compute and reduce any date to our present 
reckoning of time, as brief an account of style, and 
its change from old to new, and of the difference 
in time of commencing the year, as the nature of 
the subject will permit, is here given. 

A tropical year is a natural division of time, being 
that in Avhich the sun apparently moves from a tro- 
pic or equinox around the heavens to the same point 
again. A civil year consists of a certain number of 
days, classed into weeks and months. If the tropi- 
cal year consisted of an exact number of days, that 
is, if the sun returned to the tropic at precisely the 
same time in the day in which it left, the tropical 
and civil year might and would be forever the same, 
and the seasons would remain unmoved and fixed 
to the same months and days. But this is not the 
case. The civil year must of necessity consist of a 
certain number of days ; but the tropical year is 
found to consist of about 365 days, 5 hours, 48 min- 
utes, and 50 seconds. To fix a calendar, by which 
the two years should coincide as nearly as possible, 
(exactness being impossible,) has been a desideratum 
with astronomers, mathematicians, and sovereigns. 
The numerous abortive attempts made by different 
nations need not be mentioned. Julius Caesar, with 
the aid of Sosigenes, a famous mathematician of his 
time, was the first to adopt a method nearly correct. 
Finding that the tropical year consists of about SQ6 
days and 6 hours, he fixed the common year of his 



PREFACE. jj. 



calendar at 365 days ; and as the fractional part of 
the day, 6 hours, would in four years amount to just 
one day, he made every fourth year to consist of 366 
days, by counting the sixth of the calends of March 
(Feb. 24) twice, hence called Bissextile, or vulgarly 
Leap-year. Had SQ5 days, 6 hours, been exactly 
the amount of the tropical year, the desideratum 
would have been attained, and the seasons have 
remained fixed to the same days. As it is, it was 
the best arrangement of the calendar which hitherto 
had been made; no error therein was discovered 
for several centuries. It is still retained by the 
Russians. This is called the Julian, or Old Style, 
which commenced 46 years before the Christian 
era, the sun being in the vernal equinox that year 
on the 25th of March. The names of the months 
in Csesar's calendar were the same as in ours, and 
his year began as ours, January 1. 

At length it was discovered, that the assumed year 
of 365 days, 6 hours, exceeded the true tropical year 
by 11 minutes and 10 or 15 seconds, and that there- 
by the vernal equinox was receding from the 25th of 
March at the rate of that time annually, amounting 
to about one day in 130 years. Again in-enuity 
was applied to correct the calendar, and Various 
propositions made for the purpose, which it is un- 
necessary to state. Pope Gregory Xllf., finding 
that the feast days of the church \vere being de- 
ranged by the defect in the reckoning, undertook a 
reform of the Julian calendar. In the year 1583, 
having called to his aid the most eminent astrono- 
mers and mathematicians of the age, and they find- 
b 



PKF.FACE. 



ing that the vernal equinox, which happened on the 
Slst of March in the year 325, when the famous 
council of Nice was held, had receded to the 11th 
of March, he ordered ten days to be left out of the 
month of October in the year 1583, by counting the 
fifth day the fifteenth. This of course brought the 
e(|uinox of the next succeeding year to the 21st of 
March, where it was in the year of the Nicene 
council, when Easter and other church festivals 
were arranged. To prevent the recurrence of the 
recession of the equinoxes in future, Gregory or- 
dered, that three bissextile years in every four hun- 
dred thereafter, should be reduced to common years, 
viz. 1700, 1800, and 1900, in the then next four 
centuries, being a deduction at the rate of one day 
to about 130 years, the deficiency above stated. 
And by this arrangement, though not perfectly 
exact, the civil and tropical years will not vary to 
the amount of a day for 5,000 years to come. 
This is called the Gregorian, or New Style. 

This reformed calendar was soon after adopted 
by all the Catholic countries of Europe ; but the 
Protestants, from prejudice, or fear (as one of their 
clergy avowed) that " the hand of Joab ivas in it,^^ 
retained the old style. 

At length, however, prejudice and fear having 
ceased, or lost their power, the Parliament of Great 
Britain, in 1751, passed an act, adopting the new 
style, and ordering eleven days (the year 1700 
having been reckoned a bissextile, and consequently 
making the difference one day more than at Gre- 
gory's reform,) in the month of September, 1752, 



PREFACE. Xi 

to be omitted, by calling the 3d day of that month 
the 14tli. Hence it is evident that to any date 
made according to old style, between 1582 and 
1700, (1600 being bissextile, according to both 
reckonings,) 10 days must be added to render it 
new style;* and since 1700, (that being a common 
year with Catholics, but bissextile with Protestants,) 
11 days must be added. 

The times at which to commence the year have 
been numerous, and have caused more errors, than 
the different calendars in other respects. The equi- 
noxes, solstices, certain festivals, and other epochs, 
have at different times and by different nations been 
the commencement of the year. Two or three of 
these only need to be mentioned. 

The Romans at one time had the year divided 
into ten months only, commencing with March, so 
that September, October, November and December 
had their numerical rank according to their Latin 
etymology. This year consisted of only 304 days, 
and the seasons consequently fast removed from 
their places. Two more months were therefore 
added, January at the beginning, said to be so 
called from two-faced Janus, one face looking back 
upon the old year, and the other forward to the 
new ; and February at the close of the year, after- 
wards placed between January and March. The 
number of days in these two months, when added 



* The landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth was on the 11th of Decem- 
ber, 1620. Ten days o.ily should be added to make it correspond with 
new style. By some inadvertence the 22d instead of the 21st has been 
celebrated as the anniversary of that event. 



Xii rBKFACE. 

to tlie jear of 304 dajs, did not make it equal to a 
tropical year, so that Julius Cicsar, when he estab- 
lished his calendar, was under the necessity of add- 
ino- 90 days to the end of one year, hence called the 
year of confusion, in order to reduce the seasons to 
their proper places. The year then commenced 
January 1. This commencement of the year was 
not universally adopted. In England, the year at 
one time commenced at Christmas, at another at the 
Annunciation, March 25, and finally it was fixed by 
law in the reign of Henry MIL, at the Annuncia- 
tion. Historians, however, adhered to the 1st of 
January, and thus came the distinction of civil or 
legal year, and historical year. Hence also origi- 
nated the practice of double-dating between Jan- 
uary l,and March 25, thus: "Feb. 11, 1731-2," 
or " 173^," the numerator of the fraction expressing 
the civil or legal year, and the denominator the his- 
torical. This method, if strictly observed, would 
have plainly indicated the true time; but in many 
instances we find but a single date, and then we 
are in doubt, unless we can compare with some 
other date known to have been in the same year. 
In general it is supposed, thai a single date between 
Jan. 1, and March 25, previous to 1752, indicates 
the legal year ; but it is by no means certain. 

Another method of dating used by our Puritan 
ancestors occasions no little perj)lexity. The heath- 
enish names given to the months, and to the days 
of the week, were an offence to them ; so instead of 
them they used the ordinals, 1st, 2d, 3d, kc, both 
lor mojiths and d sys. Thus 10 d. 6 m. 1667, de- 



PREFACE. Xlll 



noted August 10, 1667, as they commenced the 
year with March 1. In this, however, it is not 
certain that every clerk was uniform. Some, it is 
thought, called January the first month, for there 
are instances of a double date in the year, when in 
the first or second month. 

These inconveniences and uncertainties were all 
remedied by the act of Parliament, by which the 
style was reformed. By that statute the legal was 
made to conform to the historical year, and to the 
common usage of the other nations of Europe, as 
well as to that of their own people, whose almanacs 
had long before, perhaps always, commenced the 
year with January 1. 

It is much to be regretted, that when these refor- 
mations were made by authority, the commencement 
of the year had not been fixed at the vernal equinox, 
and a disposition made of the days of the months a 
little different from our present calendar ; but a 
change would now be attended with very serious 
inconvenience, and perhaps insurmountable difficulty. 

The compiler will not further extend these pre- 
fatory remarks, already perhaps too prolix for pro- 
priety, by naming all, who have aided, assisted and 
encouraged him in the progress of his labor. They 
are one and all entitled to his sincere thanks and 
warmest gratitude for their courtesy, assistance and 
encouragement ; and they will please to accept the 
expression of them in this general form. 

It has not been thought expedient to encumber 
the margins with authorities for the assertions in 



XIV CONTENTS. 



the text, which are not copies. Due care and cau- 
tion have been taken to insert nothing for whkh 
there is not good evidence of its truth. What is 
stated as tradition, will be appreciated as such ; and 
copies of records, which compose so great a propor- 
tion of the volume, cannot with propriety be con- 
tradicted. 

That the following pages may afford some grati- 
fication to the antiquarian and genealogist, and not 
be wholly destitute of interest, instruction, and 
amusement to the general reader, is the hope and 
desire of the compiler. 

C. BUTLER. 

Groton, January, 1848. 



CONTENTS. 



HISTORY OF GROTON. 
CHAPTER I. 

TITLES TO LANDS. 

Titles to Lands in New England — Grant to Council of Plymouth 

Sale to Sir H. Roswel! — Confirmation of Charles I. to Roswell and 

others — Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay incorporated 

Grants for Townships and Plantations — Grant of Groton — Petition of 
Grantees, and Answer — John Tinker's Petition, and Proceedings 
thereon — Survey and Boundaries — Indian Deed and Title, . . 9 

CHAPTER II. 

PROCEEDINGS OF THE ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 

Progress of the Settlement — Division or Partition of Common Lands — 
Separation of Proprietors and Inhabitants — Names of first Proprietors, 
and their several Proportions — Rightof Voting — Town Records — New 
Book of Proprietors' Lots — Further division of Common Lands — Rights 
of the Prescott Family, 25 

CHAPTER III. 

EXTRACTS FROM THE EARLY RECORDS. 

Condition of early Settlers — Preservation of Trees — Controversy with 
John Lawrence, Sen. — Origin of Gratuities — First, or "Old Mill" — 
Mill at Stony Brook, or Forge Village — Saw Mill — Andrew, the In- 
dian — Decrees and Orders of Selectmen — Fences — Swine — Herding 
Cattle — Pound — Instructions to the Selectmen, . . . .33 



XVI CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER IV. 

HIGHWAYS AJJD BRIDGES. 

Roads of unnecessary Width — Bad Policv- — Sales of Roads — Highway 
to Chehnsford — Billeiica Bridge — Roads to Lancaster — Bridges over 
Lancaster or Nashua River — Agreement with Pepperell about 
Bridges— Agreement with Capt. Filch— Other Bridges, . . .45 

CHAPTER V. 

DIVISION OF THE TOWN. 

Parcel with Nashobah set off to make Littleton — Compensation for tlie 
Loss by Groton Gore — Hon. William Prescott's country Seat — Line 
of New Hampshire run — Loss and Compensation — Harvard and 
Westford to have Parcels — Precinct of Pepperell — Districts of Shirley 
and Pepperell — Parcels to Dunstable — From Pepperell to Groton, . 58 

CHAPTER VI. 

INDIAN WARS. 

Philip, Chief of the Wampanoags— His Foresight and Wars — Attack 
upon Groton, March 2d, 9th, and 13th — The Town burnt and desert- 
ed — Daniel Adams's Petition — Town Meeting at Concord — Petition 
for Relief— Squaws taken up by Sargeant Lakin — King William's 
W'ar — Officers — Garrisons — William Longley's Family killed, with 
others — Petition for Relief— Queen Anne's War — Tarbell Boys taken 
— Sheple's House burnt — John Shattuck and Son killed — Jacob Ames 
killed — Expedition to Norridgewock, and Death of Ralle — Lovell's 
War — His first, second, and last Expeditions — Lovell's Fight, and 
Consequences — Story of Chamberlain and young Paugus — Reflec- 
tions, 68 

CHAPTER VII. 

THE REVOLUTIONARY WAR." 

Incipient Causes — Instructions to the Representative — Resolves about 
Lidustry, Economy, Manufactures, and foreign Superfluities — Regu- 
lations about Funerals — Non-importation — Resolves on Rights, Privi- 
leges, Grievances, &.c. — Letter to Committee of Correspondence — 
Duty on Tea — Continental Congress Association — Signing Covenant 
and posting Names — Minute Men march — Recruits, Supplies, &c., 
duriiig the War — Shays's Rebellion, 114 



CONTENTS. XVU 



CHAPTER VIII. 

MEETING-HOUSES, OR CHURCHES. 

First Meeting-House — Its Situation — Cost and Materials — Second House 
— Committee of Twelve to agree about its Location — Their Report — 
Its Site — Sales of Land to raise Money to finish it — Third House — Its 
Site — John Ames gives a Deed — Enlargement — A Bell — W. Martin's 
and Jona. Lawrence's Wills — A new Bell — Enlargement of the Common 
— Votes about repairing, or building, a new fourth Meeting-House — 
Trouble about finishing — Pews — Costs — Regulations — Presbyterian 
House — Union Meeting-House — Baptists, &c., .... 137 



CHAPTER IX. 

MINISTERS, CHURCHES, AND CONGREGATIONS. 

Rev. John Miller — Rev. Samuel Willard — Rev. Gershom Hobart — Rev. 
Dudley Bradstreet — Rev. Caleb Trowbridge— Rev. Samuel Dana — 
Rev. Daniel Chaplin, D D. — Rev. Charles Robinson — Rev. George W. 
Wells— Rev. Joseph C. Smith— Rev. John Todd— Rev. Charles B. 
Kittredge — Rev. Dudley Phelps — Rev. Amasa Sanderson — Rev. Al- 
fred Pinney — Rev. Lewis Holmes, 154 

CHAPTER X. 

GROTON MINISTERIAL FUND. 

Donation of Shadrach Whitney — Of Josiah Sartell, Esq. — Incorporation 
of the Trustees — Sale of Farms — Donations of the First Parish — Suit 
by an Heir of Col. Sartell — Attempts to divide or misapply the Fund, 20S 



CHAPTER XI. 

SCHOOLS AND EDUCATION. 

First Votes about Schools — School House — Town indicted — School Bill 
— Petition for Grant of Land — Schools kept in several Angles — Gram- 
mar School in four Places — Town again indicted — Children numbered 
— Town again indicted — Districts formed — A better System adopted 
— By-Laws adopted, and altered — First Library — Second Library — 
United — First Parish Library — Groton Lyceum — Groton Academy — 
Association — Subscribers — Incorporation — List of Trustees — List of 
Preceptors — Embarrassmeiits — Grant of Lands — Sale, and relief from 
Debts — Small Donations — Mrs. Brazer's Bequest — Generous Dona- 
tions of William and Amos Lawrence — Change of corporate Name 
— Further Donations — F\iture Prospects, ..... 217 

C 



XVIU CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Topographical Description— Boundaries— Extent— Landscape — Water — 
Minerals, Soil, and Productions— Post Office — St. Paul's Lodge— St. 
John's R. A. Chapter— Lodge of I. 0. of O. F.— Common Burying- 
Ground— Rural Cemetery — Thaumaturgia Pneumatica, or Witchcraft 
— Bounty for killing Wolves — Fines paid for not serving as Constable, 
for Swearing, and for Absence from Meeting — Lead Weights made 
Bullets— Court of Common Pleas, 242 

CHAPTER XIII. 

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES. 

Notices of some of the Families of the First Settlers, and of distinguished 
Individuals, arranged in Alphabetical Order, 263 



HISTORY OF PEPPERELL. 
CHAPTER XIV. 

INCORPORATION AND MEETING-HOUSES. 

West Parish — Boundaries and first Officers — First Meeting-House — 
Difficulty about its Location— Petition to Legislature and Committee 
to fix the Place — Timber moved — Progress of the Work — Incorpora- 
ted a District — Name — Bill— A new Meeting-House contemplated 
— A Fast — Dedication— Remodelling — Dedication— Second Parish — 
Meeting-House and Dedication, 305 

CHAPTER XV. 

MINISTERS, CHURCHES, ETC. 

First preaching in Dwelling-Houses — A Call to Mr. Vinal — Call to Mr. 
Emerson — Ordination — Organization of the Church — Mr. f].'s Salary 
— Military trait — Death, and Character — Deacons— Mr. Bullard's Call 
and Ordination — His Ministry — Deacons — Death, and Character — 
Choice of Mr. Howe — Exclusive System — Cautious Measures — Ordi- 
nation — Breach of Promise — Division of the Town — Mr. Babbidge's 
Call and Ordination — Deacons — Centennial Celebration — Mr. Howe 
recognized as Pastor of the Evangelical Congregational Society — Sick- 
ness, Death, and Character — Mr. Andrews's Ordination — Deacons — 
Anniversary Festival, • 314 



CONTENTS. XIX 

CHAPTER XVI. 

WARS AND WARRIORS. 

Mr. Emerson's Address to Capt. Lawrence's Soldiers — Capt. Lawrence's 
Death — Instructions to Representative — Letter to Committee of Corre- 
spondence at Boston — Further Instructions and Resolutions — Alarm 
of April 19, 1775— Battle of Bunker Hill— Col. William Prescolt— 
Hon. William Prescott, 326 

CHAPTER XVII. 

REMARKABLE PROVIDENCES, . . . 347 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

EDUCATION. 
Common Schools — Academy — Trustees — Instructors, .... 354 



HISTORY OF SHIRLEY. 
CHAPTER XIX. 

FIRST SETTLEMENT, MEETING-HOUSES, ETC. 

Boundaries — Stow-Leg — Petitioners' Names — First Meeting and Offi- 
cers — Burying-Ground and Training-Field — First Meetiug-House — 
Second Meeting-House — Bell — United Believers, or Shakers — Uni- 
versalists — Orthodox Congregational Society, 358 

CHAPTER XX. 

MINISTERS. 

« 

Mr. Goodhue — Mr. Sparhawk — Mr. Whitney — Church, Deacons, &c. 
— Mr. Whitney's Ministry, Character, &c. — Mr. Tolman — Ordination 
and Dismission — Mr. Chandler — Mr. Wood — Mr. Streeter — Mr. 
Browne — Mr. Eaton, 367 



XX CONTENTS. 

CHAPTER XXI. 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR. 

Instructions to Representative on Stamp Act — On Circular from Boston 
— Resolution about Tea — About Boston Port Bill — American Associ- 
ation — Soldiers, 372 

CHAPTER XXII. 

EDUCATION. 

First School — But one School for a Time — Six Districts — Those who 
have entered College, 377 

CHAPTER XXIII. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

Soil — Productions — Streams of Water — Manufactures — Provision for 
Paupers, • 379 



APPENDICES. 

APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF GROTON, 3S3 

APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF PEPPERELL, . . . .468 
APPENDIX TO HISTORY OF SHIRLEY, 488 



HISTORY OF GROTON. 



CHAPTER I. 

Title to lands in New England — Grant to Council of Plymoutli — Sale 
to Sir H. Roswell — Confirmation of Charles I. to Roswell and 
others — Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay incorporated 
— Grants for Townships and Plantations — Grant of Groton — Peti- 
tion of Gi-antees, and answer — John Tinker's Petition, and pro- 
ceedings thereon — Survey and boundaries — Indian deed and title. 

When North America was discovered by Europeans, 
discovery, and possession taken, were deemed to give a 
sufficient title to the Sovereigns by whose subjects the 
first discovery and entry were made, of all lands, coun- 
tries and territories so discovered and entered upon. The 
coasts of New England having thus become the property 
of King James the First of England, by the discoveries 
of John and Sebastian Cabot, Bartholomew Gosnold, and 
other navigators, he, in the eighteenth year of his reign, 
claiming the whole continent from the Atlantic to the 
Pacific Ocean, granted to " The Council of Plymouth in 
the County of Devon for the planting, ruling, ordering 
and governing of New England in America," " all that 
part of America lying and being in breadth from forty 
degrees to forty-eight degrees of north latitude, and in 
length of and within all the breadth aforesaid throughout 
the main land from sea to sea." " To be holden of him, 
2 



10 SALE OF LANDS TO ROSWELL AND OTHERS. 

his heirs and successors, as of his manor of East Green- 
wich, in the County of Kent,' in free and common soc- 
cage, and not in capite, nor by knights' service," the 
grantees " yielding and paying therefor the fifth part of 
the ore of gold and silver, which should happen to be 
found in any of the said lands." The Council of Ply- 
mouth by their deed indented, under their common seal, 
dated March 19th, in the third year of the reign of King 
Charles I., granted, bargained, sold, kc, to Sir Henry 
Roswell and five others, ''all that part of New England 
in America which lies and extends between a great river 
there, commonly called Monomack, alias Merrimack, and 
a certain other river there called Charles, being in the 
bottom of a certain bay there, commonly called Massa- 
chusetts," and also all the lands being within the space 
of three English miles on the south of Charles river and 
Massachusetts bay, and within the same space on the 
north of the river Monomack or Merrimack, and of all 
parts of said rivers and bay, and from the Atlantic sea or 
ocean on the east, to the Pacific sea or ocean on the west. 
Upon the petition of said Henry Roswell and others, his 
associates. King Charles I., on the fourth day of March, 
in the fourth year of his reign, by letters patent confirmed 
the lands so conveyed to them by the Plymouth Com- 
pany, to the said Henry Roswell and five others, and 
their associates, twenty in number, to have and to hold 
to them, &c., by the same tenure, and incorporated them 
by the name of " The Governour and Company of the 
Massachusetts Bay in New England." 

Holding under these grants, and by these titles, the 
Governor and Company of Massachusetts Bay made grants 
of lands to companies and individuals, for towns and 
plantations, usually annexing certain conditions to their 

' A tenure called gavelkind, in which the lands descend to all the sons 
of the tenant in equal shares, and not to the oldest son alone, the more coni- 
iDon tenure iu England. 



GRANT OF GROTON. 11 

grants ; such as that a certain number of settlers or fami- 
lies should within a stated time build and settle upon the 
same ; or that the gospel should be regularly preached, or 
a church gathered upon the granted premises. In this 
manner towns were constituted in Massachusetts, without 
any more formal act of incorporation. There were forty- 
four towns- thus established within the Plymouth and 
Massachusetts Colonies before the year 1655. 

The original petition for the plantation or town of 
Groton, is not found, or any record of it ; but the follow- 
ing copies of records and documents in the office of the 
Secretary of the Commonwealth, show the names of some 
of the petitioners, and the purport of their petition. 

" At a General Court held at Boston the 23d of the 5th 
mo., 1655. 

" There being a petition preferred by Mr. Dean Win- 
throp, Mr. Thomas Hinckley and divers others for a plan- 
tation upon the river that runs from Nashua ^ into Merri- 
mack, called Petapawag, and another from some of the 
inhabitants of Concord for a plantation in the same place, 
to both of which the Court returned this answer, That the 
Court thinks meet to grant the petitioners eight miles 
square in the place desired, to make a plantation, which 
henceforth shall be called Groaten,'^ formerly known by the 
name of Petapawag, and that Mr. Danforth of Cambridge, 
with such others as he shall associate to himself, shall and 

* These towns were Boston, Salem, Ipswich, Newbury, Lynn, Gloucester, 
Rowley, Salisbury, Wenham, Manchester, Haverhill, Andover, Marble- 
head, Topsfield, Charlestown, Watertown, Medford or Mystic, Cambridge or 
Newton, Concord, Sudbury, Woburn, Reading, Maiden, Dorchester, Rox- 
bury, Weymouth, Dedham, Braintree, Medfield, Plymouth, Hingliam, 
Scituate, Duxbury, Marshfield, Hull, Taunton, Rehoboth, Barnstable, 
Sandwich, Yarmouth, Eastham, Lancaster, Springfield, Northampton. 

^ Lancaster. 

* This name was undoubtedly given to the plantation by Dean Winthrop, 
the first named petitioner, a son of Governor Winthrop, who came from 
Groton, Suffolk county, in England. 



12 PETITION OF GRANTEES. 

hereby is desired to lay it out with all convenient speed, 
that so no encouragement may be wanting to the petition- 
ers for the speedy procuring of a godly Minister amongst 
them, provided that none shall enjoy any right or portion 
of that land by gift, from the Selectmen of that place, but 
such as shall build houses on their lots so given them 
within eighteen months from the time of said town's lay- 
ing out, or town's grant to such persons, and for the pres- 
ent Mr. Dean Winthrop, Mr. John Tinker, Mr. Thomas 
Hinckley, Dolor Davis, William Martin, Matthew Harring- 
ton, John Witt and Timothy Cooper are appointed the 
Selectmen for the said town of Groton for two years from 
the time it is laid out, to lay out and dispose of particular 
lots, not exceeding twentjr acres to each house lot, and to 
order the prudential affairs of the place, at the end of 
which time, other Selectmen shall be chosen and appoint- 
ed in their rooms, the said Selectmen of Groton giving 
Mr. Danforth such satisfaction for his service and pains, 
as they and he shall agree." ^ 

" Boston, 16th, 3 m. 1656. 

" To the right worshipful the Governour, the worship- 
ful Deputy Governour and Magistrates, with the worthy 
deputies of this honorable Court : 

" The humble petition of certain the Inhabitants of 
Groton, humbly showeth, 

" That your petitioners having obtained their request of 
a plantation from this honorable Court, they have made 
entrance thereupon and do resolve by the gracious assist- 
ance of the Lord to proceed in the same (though the 
greatest number of the petitioners for the grant decline the 
work) yet because of the remoteness of the place, consid- 

^ Immediately succeeding this record is the following: "Timothy Cooper 
hcing indebted to the country ten pounds upon the forfeiture of a bond which 
he stood engaged in, for Mr. John Jarvis upon his petition to this Court, it is 
remitted to 2O5." 



PETITION OF GRANTEES AND ANSWER. 13 

ering how heavy and slow it is hke to be carried on, and 
with what charge and difficuhy it will be attended, your 
petitioners' humble requests are, 

<' 1, That they be not nominated or included in the 
Country taxes, until the full end of three years from these 
presents, in which time they accomit their expense will 
be great, to building a house, procuring and maintaining 
a minister, &c. with all other necessary town charges, 
(they being but few at present left to carry on the whole 
work,) and at the end of the term shall be ready by God's 
help to yield their rates according to their number and 
ability and what shall be assessed upon them. 

'' 2. That they may have liberty to make choice of 
other than Mr. Danforth for the laying out of their town 
bounds ; because of his desire to be excused, by reason of 
his urgent occasions otherwise, and that they be not stead- 
ily tied to a square form in their line of laying out. 

" So shall your petitioners be encouraged in this great 
work, and shall as duty binds, pray for your happiness, 
and thankful rest, 

Your humble servants. 

Dean Winthrop, 
Dolor Davis, 
William Martin, 
John Tinker, 
Richard Smith, 
Robert Blood, 
John Lakin, 
Amos Righenson." 

The following is a copy of the answer to the above 
petition. 

" At a Great and General Court held at Boston the 14th 
day of May, 1656. 

" In answer to the petition of the Inhabitants of Groton, 



14 JOHN tinker's petition. 

it is ordered, that the said town of Groton be freed from 
rates for three years from the time of their grant, as is 
desired. 

" 2. That they may employ any other known artist in 
the room of Mr. Danforth, as need shall be. 

" 3. That the form of the town may a little vary from 
a due square, according to the direction of the Commit- 
tee." 

After the grant of the township, and before any consid- 
erable number of settlements were made in it, there seems 
to have been some improper management by the proprie- 
tors, or grantees, which hindered and delayed its settle- 
ment, as appears by the following petition of John Tinker, 
one of the grantees, and the proceedings of the General 
Court thereon. 

" To the Hon. General Court assembled at Boston, The 
humble petition of John Tinker humbly showeth, 

" That with unfeigned respect to the good and welfare 
of Church and Commonwealth, your petitioner hath en- 
deavored to answer the expectation and desires of this 
honourable Court and the whole Country, in erecting, 
settling, and carrying on the affairs of Groton, granted and 
intended by this honourable Court for a plantation, which 
notwithstanding, (all in vain,) continueth unpeopled, and 
so like to remain, unless by this honourable Court some 
wise and judicious committee be empowered to order and 
dispose of all points thereabout ; after which no doubt it 
will grow and prosper, which it is the humble desire and 
request of your petitioner, that so it may be ; and that 
your petitioner may be admitted and appointed faithfully 
to declare unto, and inform the said Committee, 1. what 
hath already been done ; 2. what are the grounds and 
reasons, wherefore it remaincth at the stay it doth, being 
so much desired by so many and such considerable persons 



PROCEEDINGS UPON JOHN TINKER's PETITION. 15 

as it is, and 3. what he considereth needful to the further 
confirming what is done according to right to every per- 
son and cause, and the settling such due order, as may 
encourage the carrying on of all things to a prosperous 
issue ; unto which your 'petitioner shall readily address 
himself, as willing to submit to the good pleasure of this 
honourable Court, and such as are authorized by them, 
for such due satisfaction for all his care, time, costs, and 
pains in and about the said plantation, as shall be thought 
meet, and humbly begging the good favor of God to rest 
upon you, shall ever remain to this honourable Court and 
Country, 

Your humble servant, 

John Tinker." 

" The Committee having received this petition, do 
judge, 1st, that it will be very convenient, that a Commit- 
tee of three, or more, meet persons be nominated and 
empowered to examine the particulars therein mentioned, 
and make return of what they find to the Court of" 
(Elections ?) 

"21. 8. '59." 

" We, whose names are subscribed, being appointed and 
empowered by the General Court in Oct. 1659, for the 
examination of the proceedings about Groton plantation, 
and the entanglements, that have obstructed the planting 
thereof, we having taken pains to travel to the said place 
and examine the record of former proceedings in that 
place, as also the capacity of the place for the entertaining 
of a meet number of persons, that may carry on the af- 
fairs of a town, do apprehend (according to what infor- 
mation we have had) that the place will afford a comfort- 
able accommodation for sixty families at least, that may 
subsist in a way of husbandry ; and for such families as 
be there already planted, which are not above four or five, 



16 PROCEEDINGS UPON JOHN TINKER's PETITION. 

we do not find, that their interest in such land as they 
claim is legal and just, nor yet consistent with the Court's 
ends in their grant of the said plantation. And for the 
further encouragement of such as now have a desire, and 
do present themselves as willing to plant themselves in 
that place, we crave leave humbly to present our poor 
apprehensions to this honored Court as followeth, 

" That the old planters and their assigns, whose names 
are John Tinker, Richard Smith, William Martin, Rich- 
ard Blood, Robert Blood, and John Lakin,^ that they re- 
tain and keep as their propriety (of such lands as they 
now claim an interest in) each of them only ten acres of 
meadow, twenty acres for the houselot, ten acres of inter- 
vale, and ten acres of other upland, and that the same be 
set out by a committee, so as may not unequally preju- 
dice, such as are, or may be their neighbors. 

" 2. That these lands and meadows be so divided as 
may accommodate at least sixty families ; and for that 
end that the first division of lands be made in the follow- 
ing manner, viz. such as have one hundred and fifty 
pounds estate, to be allowed equally with the old planters 
above, and that none exceed ; and that none have less 
than ten acres for their houselot and five acres of meadow, 
two and a half acres of intervale, and two and a half of 
other land for their planting in their first division ; and 
that none be admitted to have grants of lots there, but on 
conditions following, viz. 1., That they go up with their 
families, within two years after their grants on penalty of 

8 Of the grantees here and heretofore mentioned, the names only of William 
Martin, Richard Blood, and Robert Blood appear in any of the town records 
as inhabitants ; whence it is inferred, that the others named never come to 
reside here. Dean Winthrop was son of John V/inthrop, first Governor of 
Massachusetts, and lived in Boston. John Tinker lived in Lancaster, and 
was town clerk there. Dolor Davis was of Cambridge, and died at Barn- 
stable. Of Richard Smith and Amos Richenson nothing is known. Farmer 
names a Richard Smith of Sudbury, and Amos Richardson, a tailor in Bos- 
ton, who were probably the persons above named. 



PROCEEDINGS UPON JOHN TINKEr's PETITION. 17 

forfeiting their grants again to the town, and so many- 
twenty shiUings, as they had acres granted them for their 
house lots, and that the like injunctions be put upon those 
above named as old planters. 2. That all town charges, 
both civil and ecclesiastical, be levied according to each 
man's grant in this first division of lands, for seven years 
next ensuing, excepting only such, whose stocks of cattle 
shall exceed one hundred and fifty pounds estate. 

" 3. That the power of admission of inhabitants and 
regulating the affairs of the said place, be referred to a 
Committee of meet persons, empowered by this Court 
thereto, until the plantation be in some good measure (at 
least) filled with inhabitants, and be enabled regularly and 
peaceably to carry on the same themselves. 

" 4. That this honored Court be pleased to grant them 
immunities of all common and ordinary country charges, 
not exceeding a single rate, or a rate and an half, per annum 
for three years next ensuing. 

" 5. That in granting of lots, children have their due 
consideration with estates, their parents giving security to 
defray their charges of the place, as is before provided. 

Thomas Danforth, 
Edward Johnson, 
Ephr'm Child." 

" The Court approves of, and do confirm the return of 
the Committee, and do hereby further order and empower 
the aforesaid Committee for the ends abovementioned, 
until meet men shall be found amongst such as shall 
inhabit there, and be approved of by a County Court." 

The above copies are from the records of the General 
Court under date of May 22, 1661. The records of the 
Town show that " meet men " were found amongst the 
inhabitants in December, 1662, when Deacon James Par- 
ker, John Lawrence, William Martin, Richard Blood and 
3 



18 SURVEY OF THE TOWN. 

James Fiske were chosen Selectmen. The record is in 
the handwriting of Richard Sawtell, who was town clerk 
for several years. 

It is impossible at this time to know precisely what 
were the proceedings of the grantees, and what Avere the 
" entanglements " which so obstructed and hindered the 
planting of Groton ; but from the tenor of John Tinker's 
petition and the committee's report thereon, the plain 
inference is, that the Proprietors had included more lands 
in their lots than they were justly entitled to, or had pro- 
ceeded unfairly and illegally in setting them out, and had 
not admitted others to come in upon equitable terms, by 
which conduct, they had forfeited their rights in the grant. 
The names of Richard Smith and others mentioned in 
the report do not appear in an enviable light, John Tinker 
alone seems to be the champion of justice and equity. 
There are certain hereditaments in law called heir-looms, 
which are said to descend with the land. If any one im- 
agines at the present day, that he can discern the disposi- 
tion of Richard Smith and others in any of the present 
proprietors of that soil, which was the cause of those hin- 
drances and " entanglements," let him be assured, that 
some of the present freeholders of Groton inherit the 
spirit of good John Tinker. 

It appears by the following document, that the survey 
of the town ordered in 1665, was not completed till the 
year 1668. 

" Whereas the Plantation of Groton, containing by 
grant the proportion of eight miles square, was begun to 
be laid out by Ensign Noyes, and he dying before he had 
finished his work, it is now finished, whose limits and 
bounds are as foUoweth : 

" It began on the east side of Nashua river, a little be- 
low Nissitissit hills, at the short turning of the river, 
bounded by a pine tree marked with G, and so running 



BOUNDARY LINES. 19 

two miles in a direct line to Buck meadow, which pertains 
to Boston farms, and so is bounded by Boston farms, 
Billerica land and Edward Cowell's farm, until you come 
to Massapoag pond, which is full of small islands, from 
thence it is bounded by Chelmsford and Nashobah lines, 
until you come to the most southerly corner of this plan- 
tation ; and from thence it runs west-northwest five miles 
and a half and sixty-four poles, which again reacheth to 
Nashua river ; thence the former west-northwest line is 
continued one mile on the west side of the river; and 
then it runs one third of a point easterly of north-and by- 
east, nine miles and one quarter; from thence it runneth 
four miles due east, which closeth the work to the river 
again, to the first pine tree below the Nissitissit hills, 
where we began. It is bounded by the farms and plan- 
tations as aforesaid, and by the wilderness elsewhere j 
all which lines are run and very sufficiently bounded by 
marked trees and pillars of stones. The figure or manner 
of the lying of it is more fully demonstrated by this plot 
taken of the same." 

"April, 1668, By Jonathan Danforth." 

These boundary lines and plot referred to, include the 
whole of what is now Groton, nearly the whole of Pep- 
perell and Shirley, large portions of Littleton and Dun- 
stable, and smaller portions of Harvard, Westford, and 
Nashua, N. H. 

If the aforementioned committee of the General Court 
included in their estimation of the capacity of the place 
for subsistence by husbandry those parts only, which had 
been planted by the Indians, and needed but little culture 
to render them productive, and the meadows, which then 
spontaneously produced fodder for cattle, their judgment 
may not have been very erroneous ; but if they included 
the whole of the territory as surveyed, and made their es- 
timation of its prospective capability of productiveness, 



20 INDIAN TITLE. 

their foresight cannot be very highly appreciated. In the 
latter case their estimation was one family to each square 
mile, or six hundred and forty acres. There are now 
probably ten times the number of families estimated by 
the committee living upon the above described and 
bounded territory and subsisting principally by hus- 
bandry. Should our wisest and most intelligent men at 
this time undertake to predict what would be the pro- 
ductiveness, inhabitancy, or any other condition of 
Groton two centuries hence, they might judge as errone- 
ously as did Thomas Danforth, Edward Johnson, and 
Ephraim Child, nearly two centuries ago. 

After the distressing war, waged by the Indians under 
King Philip in the years 1675 and 1676 against the Eng- 
lish settlements in New England, had been closed, the 
proprietors of Groton seem to have thought, that their title 
to the plantation from Kings James and Charles of Eng- 
land, through the Council of Plymouth and the General 
Court of Massachusetts, was not complete ; and they there- 
upon undertook to strengthen it by grant from the abo- 
rigines. This would give them a title by ancient pos- 
sesssion, their former titles being by right of discovery. 

The following copies will show the proceedings of the 
inhabitants in this matter. 



Instructions to a Commildr, chosen 23(-/ of lOth monlli, I6i33. 

"John Page, John Parish, Ensign Lawrence. 

" As you are chosen a committee for and in behalf of the 
town, you are desired for to prove the right and title we 
have to our township by all the legal testimony, which can 
be procured, when the town is sent to by any authority ; 
and if any Indians can prove a legal title to the remainder 
of our township, you have power to buy it at as easy a lay 
as you can, and make it as good as may be in behalf of 



INDIAN DEED. 21 

the town ; and you shall have reasonable satisfaction for 
your pains. 

" In the name of the Selectmen, 

Jonathan Morse, Clerk." 

At a town meeting 14th 11th mo. 1683-4 the above 
named committee presented their account of expenses in 
procuring a deed from certain Indians ; but it is so de- 
faced as not to be wholly legible. The town voted to 
put the deed on record, a copy of which follows : 

"To all people, to whom these presents shall come, 
know ye, that we, John, Tom Dublitt and his wife, and 
their eldest son, Little James Fox, alias Gasumbitt, Mr. 
Jacob, alias Patatuck, all of Weymessett, and Thomas 
Waban of Natick, all of them Indians and inhabitants as 
aforesaid, and within the Massachusetts Colony in New 
England, for and in consideration of the full and just sum 
of twenty and eight pounds ten shillings to us well and 
truly paid and security given to them according to law by 
Corporal John Page, Ensign Nathaniel Lawrence, and 
John Parish, all of the town of Groton, which is to the 
full satisfaction and content of the aforesaid Indians, and 
thereof and every part thereof do acquit, release, and dis- 
charge the said John Page, Nathaniel Lawrence, and John 
Parish and their heirs and administrators forever, by these 
presents, have granted, bargained and sold, aliened, en- 
feoffed and confirmed, and by these presents do fully, free- 
ly, clearly, and absolutely, grant, bargain, and sell, alien, 
enfeof and confirm to the now inhabitants of the town of 
Groton, aforesaid, and to their heirs and associates forever, 
all and every part of that tract of land, which is called 
Groton plantation, according to the full extent of the 
bounds thereof, on both sides of the Nashua river, as it is 
granted to them by the Honorable General Court of the 
Massachusetts Colony. To have and to hold the above 



22 INDIAN DEED. 

said tract of land, with all the privileges and appurtenan- 
ces to the same appertaining, or in any way belonging, to 
them the said inhabitants of the town of Groton, and to 
their heirs and associates forever. And they the said Mr. 
John, Tom Dublitt and his wife, and their son, the eldest 
of them, Little James Fox, and Jacob Patatuck, and 
Thomas Waban, for themselves, their heirs and adminis- 
trators, do covenant, promise and grant, to and with the 
aforesaid John Page, Nathaniel Lawrence, and John Parish 
(as trustees for and in the behalf of the whole inhabitants 
of the aforesaid town of Groton) and with their heirs and 
assigns forever, that they the said Mr. John, Tom Dublitt 
and his wife and their eldest son. Little James Fox, 
alias Gasumbitt, and Jacob Patatuck and Thomas Wa- 
ban, and each of them are the true and proper owners of 
the above said tract of land, as to all manner of Indian 
title, that either is, or may be conceived to be. And that 
they have good right, full power, and lawful authority, 
the premises to grant, bargain and confirm to them the 
said inhabitants of Groton and to their heirs, associates, 
and assigns forever. And that they the said inhabitants 
of the town of Groton, their heirs, associates, and assigns 
forever, shall and may at all times, and from time to time 
forever hereafter quietly and peaceably have, hold, enjoy, 
and possess the said whole tract of land or plantation, 
with all the privileges, profits, and commodities of the 
same, without the lawful let, hindrance, eviction, expul- 
sion, suit, molestation or denial of them the said Mr. John, 
Tom Dublitt and his wife, and their eldest son. Little 
James Fox, Jacob, alias Patatuck, and Thomas Waban, 
their heirs or executors, administrators or assigns of them 
or either of them, or of any other person or persons what- 
soever, whether Indians or English, claiming or having 
any right, title, or interest therein or thereunto, by, from, 
or under, them or either of them, (as to Indian title of 
land,) or by any other lawful ways or means whatsoever. 



VOTE OF THE TOWN. 23 

" In witness whereof the said Mr. John, Indian, Tom 
Dublitt and his wife, and their eldest son. Little James 
Fox, Jacob, alias Patatuck, and Thomas Waban, have af- 
fixed their hands and seals hereunto this tenth day of Jan- 
uary, in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hun- 
dred and eighty three-four, and in the thirty and five 
year of the reign of our sovereign Lord, King Charles 
the second. 

Read, signed, and delivered 
in presence of us, 

Thomas Hinchman, f 

John Fiske, j (Names, marks, 

JoNA. Danforth, Sen. ^ and seals of the 

Samuel Brown, j Grantors.) 

James Rumbly Marsh. (^ 

" Pompequoosit, alias Mr. John, Thomas Reepamimp, 
alias Dublitt, and Sarah his wife, Gasumbitt, alias Little 
James Fox, and Patatuck, alias Jacob, Indians of Wey- 
messet, and Thomas Waban of Natick, acknowledged the 
within written instrument to be their act and deed, Janu- 
ary 11th, 1683-4, before 

Peter Bulkley, Assist." 

At the last mentioned town meeting, 

" Voted, That these public charges concerning the pur- 
chase of our Indian title shall be levied upon our first 
grants; and they shall pay, in whose hands they are 
found : that if any person do refuse to pay for the pur- 
chase of this Indian title of our township, their names 
are to be entered into the town book." 

It appears by records of the payments of several pro- 
prietors for this purchase, that the proportion was eight 
shilhngs and four pence to a ten acre right. 

Other persons besides the committee chosen by the 
town, appear to have obtained a title from Indians, for at a 



24 VOTE OF THE TOWN. 

town meeting June 8th, 1702, the town voted to give 
Robert Robbins three acres of meadow and ten acres of 
upland near his meadow ; and to the heirs of Peleg 
Lawrence, deceased, three acres of meadow and ten acres 
of upland near the same, upon condition that they, Robert 
Robbins, and the heirs of Peleg Lawrence, "do de- 
liver that Indian title, that they now have, to the town." 



CHAPTER 11. 

Progress of the settlement — Division or partition of common lands — 
Separation of Proprietors and Inhabitants — Names of first Pro- 
prietors and their several proportions — Right of voting — Town 
records — New book of Proprietors' lots — Furtlier division of com- 
mon lands — Rights of the Prescott family. 

After the acceptance of the report of the Committee 
appointed and sent by the General Court to investigate 
the affairs of Groton in the year 1661, the settlement 
appears to have proceeded prosperously. Town records 
are in existence dated June 23, 1662. This is probably 
the first record ever made of any proceedings of the town. 
Votes passed at this date, and Dec. 24th of the same 
year, in relation to building a meeting-house, and a house 
for the minister. Selectmen and other town officers were 
chosen and other town business was transacted. What 
the number of inhabitants was at this time, is not known, 
but by their being able to settle a minister and build a 
meeting-house, it may be inferred, that the number was 
considerable.^ 

The first settlers of Groton, or proprietors of the 
land, were tenants in common of the whole township, 
though not in equal shares or proportions. They ex- 

' As evidence that there were a considerable number of inhabitants, take 

the following records. 

"A country rate for the year 1665, the total sum being £11 5s 6d." 

" A county rate for the same year, the total sum being £1 15s 3d, both 

which rates, committed into the hands of John Page to gather, by order of 

the Selectmen." 

4 



26 ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 

pressed their several proportions by a certain number of 
"acre rights." One owned a "sixty acre right," another 
a " twenty acre right," another a " five acre right," &c. 
The whole township being equal to eight miles square, or 
40,960 acres, and the whole number of " acre rights," only 
755, a proprietor who owned a sixty acre right, would 
have been entitled upon partition, to about 3,242 acres, 
and one who possessed a one acre right only, to above 54 
acres. In making the first division of lands, however, 
the proprietors were restricted to a small number of acres, 
as has been heretofore stated. 

In the year 1713, the General Court passed " An Act 
directing how meetings of proprietors of lands lying in 
common may be called." No distinction was made until 
after the passing of this statute between the inhabitants 
and the proprietors of Groton. Their transactions and 
records were all considered as those of the town, and kept 
in one book. In 1717 the proprietors called a meeting 
according to the provision of the statute, and from that 
time separate records were kept. 

At their first meeting, held March 4th, 1716-17, they 
chose a committee to find from the town book the names 
of all the original and ancient proprietors, and their pro- 
portional rights ; and also the names and rights of all 
others, who claimed by descent, purchase, grants by the 
proprietors, &c. 

This committee reported the names and rights of the 
original proprietors, as follows : 



Capt. James Parker, .50 acre right, 
William Martin, 20 
Sargeant JohnLakin,20 " 

Lieut. Wm. Lakin, 20 ;/ 
Robert Blood, 20 

Richard Clood, GO 

James Blood, 20 " 

Joseph Blood, 10 " 

Timothy Allen, 20 

John Page, 20 



Wm. Longley, Sen., 30 acre right. 
John Longley, 10 

Samuel Davis, 20 

Mat. Farnsworth,Sen.20 
Tho's Tarbell, Sen. 20 
Richard Sawtell, 20 
James Fiske, 20 

John Lawrence, 20 

Richard Holden, 18 
Simon Stone, 18 



ORIGINAL PROPRIETORS. 



27 



John Nutting, 


17 acre right. 


Joseph Morse, 


5 acre 


James Knap, 


15 


William Ellis, 


5 


John Clary, 


15 


Jonathan Sawtell, 


5 


Ralph Read, 


15 


Jonathan Crisp, 


8 


Ellas Barron, 


15 


Joshua Whitney, 


8 


Joseph Parker, 


20 


Jacob Onor, 


6 


John Morse, 


12 


Thomas Tarbell, Jr. 


G 


Nathaniel Lawrence 


,10 


Joseph Lawrence, 


5 


Daniel Pearce, 


10 


John Parish, 


5 


William Green, 


14 


Joseph Gilson, 


9 


Samuel Woods, 


11 


Thomas Williams, 


5 


Thomas Boyden, 


7 


Justinian Holden, 


7 


John Barron, 


7 


Zachariah Sawtell, 


10 


James Robinson, 


7 


Mr. Samuel Willard 


,20 


Benjamin Garfield, 


10 






Christopher Hall, 


10 




755 



riffht. 



The committee at the same time reported a list of 
names of those, who claimed, and showed sufficient title 
to, the common lands, not original proprietors, with their 
several proportional interests therein. This list contains 
about sixty names, and their number of acre rights is four 
hundred and forty-five and a half. To this list the pro- 
prietors, by vote, added about twenty-five more, who 
produced satisfactory titles to two hundred and thirty-six 
acre rights. These claimants, for the most part, are said 
to have derived their titles by descent from their fathers, 
named in the first list, or by purchase of them. Jonas 
■Prescott, however, is stated to have had a thirty acre right 
by a grant from the town. 

The committee reported at the same time, that in 
voting, the proprietors should vote according to the num- 
ber of acre rights they possessed, one vote to every acre 
right. 



Among the earliest votes of the town are the follow- 



ing. 



" At a general town meeting, December 24, 1662, it is 
agreed, that Richard Sawtell, being chosen to be the 
Town Clerk, shall have sixpence for recording and giving 



28 INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. 

a transcript for every twenty acres of land to the several 
proprietors. 

"It is agreed, that all the lands that are, or shall here- 
after be, granted, shall be recorded with these expressions 
following, viz. To such a one, or such a one, teti or 
twenty acres, so and so bounded, be it esteemed more or 
less.'' 

Records of lands had been accordingly made in the town 
book, which contained the proceedings of the town, laying 
out of highways, rates and orders of the Selectmen, &c. 
This practice being inconvenient, the town, at a general 
meeting, held 12th day of 10th month, 1682, chose a 
committee of five men, to give instructions to the Se- 
lectmen. Their instructions are on record. The 7th 
instruction is this. " The Selectmen are to take special 
care, that there be a town book, and a sufficient man 
chosen to record our lands as may stand according to 
law." In compliance with this instruction, John Morse, 
who was Town Clerk from 1669 to 16S1 inclusive, copied 
the transcript of lands from the old book, in the winter of 
1683-4, putting each proprietor's lots orderly together, 
and numbering them, first the uplands, then ihe meadows. 
The number of lots to each individual set out in this first 
division of land was very great. James Parker, who 
owned a fifty acre right, had no less than fifty lots of up- 
land, and twenty-eight of meadow, set off to him in seve- 
ralty. Those who had smaller proportions in the common 
lands, had a less number of lots ; but in all cases the lots 
were numerous. All the meadows were divided into 
small lots, so as to give each proprietor a lot in several 
meadows. For what purpose this was so done is not 
known with certainty. Some have supposed the inhabi- 
tants went in companies to make their hay, the better to 
defend themselves from the Indians. At the close of the 
description of each proprietor's lands, thus copied into the 



DIVISION OF LANDS. 29 

new book, there is a certificate, of which the following is 
a sample. 

"Compared, approved, and confirmed, by the town's 
committee according to the order of the town. 

"Attest, John Morse, Clerk." 

" Nov. 2d, 1683." 

This book is now in a state of tolerable preservation, 
nearly the whole being legible. After the copying from 
the old book was completed, other proprietors' names, and 
other setting out of lands, were inserted by the proprietors' 
clerks, till the volume was filled, then other books were 
used for the like purpose. 

After the original proprietors, their grantees, heirs, or 
representatives, had had their house lots, meadows, inter- 
vals and uplands set out to them in severalty, and after 
considerable portions of land had been sold to purchasers 
for the purpose of raising money to build a meeting-house, 
and for other public purposes, much the greater quantity 
of land still remained common. The proprietors, there- 
fore, proceeded to make further division thereof in propor- 
tion as each had title thereto. 

At a meeting of the proprietors, held September 5, 1721, 
by adjournment from April 28, they voted, among other 
matters, " That there shall be, as soon as may be, two 
acres of upland or meadow, at the least, laid out to every 
person, who stands lawfully entitled to an acre right in 
the undivided lands in the town of Groton, and he who 
stands entitled to a five acre right, shall have laid out 
thereto ten acres of land or meadow, at least, out of the 
common and undivided land belonging to the proprietors 
in this town, and so proportionably for him, that has and 
stands entitled to a greater or lesser right or interest to 
said common lands ; that is to say, one half of said pro- 
portion to be laid out on the east side, and the other half 



30 COMMON LANDS. 

on the west side of Lancaster river, so called, in this town, 
by the committee, or any two of them, or such as shall 
be chosen in their place hereafter ; and the said committee 
are directed to lay out, where the land shall happen to be 
meaner, and not so valuable, so much more as to make it 
equal in value in the judgment of the committee to the 
best ; and the lands so laid out shall be and remain to 
such person and his assigns forever, when recorded." 

The committee of the proprietors, chosen for this pur- 
pose, proceeded in conformity to this vote to lay out and 
set off to all proprietors who applied, such quantities of 
lands, as their respective rights entitled them to. There 
is a close similarity in their returns. A copy of one, as a 
sj)ecimen, follows. 

" Groton, March 23, 1721-2. Then we, the subscri- 
bers, laid out to a fifteen acre right, originally Ralph 
Read's, now claimed by Cornelius Whitney, fifty-five 
acres of land lying on the southeast side of pine meadow, 
the northwest corner being a great pine by his own 
meadow, bounded easterly to John Stone's meadow, the 
northeast corner an oak, the two southerly corners, pines ; 
all marked for corners ; what is above fifteen acres in 
quantity being added to make it equal in quality to fifteen 
acres of the best land in our judgment, allowance being 
made for a highway through the same, when needed. 
Said land being fully to satisfy said right in the new di- 
vision of the common on the east side the river. 

ZaCHAKIAH SawTELL, ^ Committee of 
PhiNEHAS Parker, > the Proprietors 

Nathaniel Woods, ' ) "^ ^'•°'°"-" 

" Which return or instrument above written being read 
at the meeting of the proprietors of Groton, September 21, 
1724, accordingly was accepted, approved, and voted by 
the proprietors to be recorded in the proprietors' book of 



COMMON LANDS. 31 

records, and that the land and premises therein mentioned 
and contained, shall be and remain to the lawful owner 
of the right to which the same is said to be laid out, his 
heirs and assigns for ever, provided the same infringe no 
former legal proprietor's grant. 

" Attest, John Longley, Proprietors' Clerk." 

At a meeting of the proprietors, January 17, 1726-7, 
another division of common and undivided lands was 
voted in terms similar to the former vote, with a proviso 
that the excess of land to make it equivalent to the best, 
should not exceed six acres for one. 

February 9, 1741, a third division of common lands 
was ordered, in which the apportionment was half an acre 
of the best land to a one acre right, or what should be 
equivalent to the best land, not exceeding four acres of 
the poorest land. 

November 14, 1748, a fourth division was made, in 
which one quarter of an acre of the best land, or its 
equivalent, not exceeding three acres of the poorest land, 
was set to a one acre right. 

The fifth and last division was voted February 4, 1760, 
in which one quarter of an acre of the best land was set 
to a one acre right, or an equivalent, not exceeding three 
acres of the poorest land, to an acre right. 

It is not to be supposed, that the owners of all the 
rights received their just and legal proportions of the com- 
mon lands, according to the several divisions ordered. 
The records show the contrary, especially so of the last 
division. Numerous complaints were made to the pro- 
prietors at different times, stating that some had received 
more than their shares ; that others had not received 
enough ; that the laying out by different committees in- 
terfered with each other, by reason of not knowing the 
boundaries ; upon which committees were chosen to ex- 
amine and correct mistakes ; but it was impossible that 



32 MEETING OF PROPRIETORS. 

exact justice should be done to all. When a small right 
came by descent upon a large number of heirs, the frac- 
tions were so small, that they were not worth the trouble 
of looking after them ; and after the lapse of a little time, 
it was difiicult to trace out the true owners. 

Jonas Prescott, Sen., was early possessed of a thirty-one 
acre right. Upon his decease, his son, the Hon. Benjamin 
Prescott, became the proprietor thereof, who made large 
additions thereto. Upon his death, his son. Col, James 
Prescott, became the owner, and added largely to them. 
He dying, his rights came into the possession of his son 
James, the late Judge of Probate, who, according to docu- 
ments among the records of the proprietors, whose clerk 
he was for many years, became the owner of nearly three 
hundred acre rights, or more than one third of all the 
common lands. 

Meetings of the proprietors continued to be held after 
the last division was voted in 1760, at which transcripts 
of lands laid out by the committee were accepted and re- 
corded, at longer or shorter intervals, (one, of nine years, 
during the revolutionary war,) till 1829. The last tract 
of common land known to exist, was laid out to Bulkley 
Ames, Esq. Another meeting will probably never be 
holden. 

The proprietors, after the revolutionary war, styled 
themselves the proprietors of Old Groton. Their records 
are by a law of the Commonwealth to be deposited in the 
Town Clerk's office. 



CHAPTER III. 

Condition of early Settlers — Preservation of Trees — Controversy with 
John Lawrence, Sen. — Origin of Gratuities — First, or " Old Mill " 
— Mill at Stony Brook, or Forge Village— Saw Mill — Andrew, 
the Indian — Decrees and Orders of Selectmen — Fences— Swine — 
Herding Cattle — Pound — Instructions to the Selectmen. 

The following extracts ^ from the early records of the 
town, will assist in forming a notion of the condition, 
habits, customs and manners of the first settlers, as well 
as afford some entertainment to us, who live under such 
different circumstances, and are surrounded with such 
different objects. 

" At a general town meeting, December 24, (1662,) it 
is agreed by the town, that the wood and timber that 

• These extracts, from 1662 to 1707, are taken from the first book of town 
records. This book has long since been divested of its cover, its leaves sep- 
arated, worn and mutilated, so that the whole is not legible. From its hav- 
ing been the only book of records during the Indian wars, and having lost its 
cover and the leaves laid aside rolled together, it has acquired the name of 
the " Indian Roll." 

It seems to have been lost for a time. When the writer iirst saw it, in the 
town clerk's office, it was rolled up, and upon the envelope was written, 
"The Indian Roll, 
Found at Dea. Lawrence's, Feb. 21, 1807." 

Those parts of it containing the transcripts of land were copied, as has been 
stated in the text, by John Morse, in 1683, '84. The parts containing the 
laying out of highways, were, by vote of the town, passed May 1, 1723, 
collected into a report and recorded in the second book of town records. 
Such as is legible of the remaining parts, has been copied by the writer into 
a new book. 



34 PRESERVATION OF TREES. 

grows ill the highway against any man's house lot, shall 
be his ; provided, that he shall not, upon penalty of pay- 
ing half a crown a tree, fall (fell) any tree upon the com- 
mon, except it appeareth they have not amongst these 
trees such tree or trees as will suit their necessity ; provi- 
ded also, that when they shall fall (fell) they shall not 
[words torn off or illegible] to the prejudice of the town, 
or any one of the inhabitants, by hindering the passage 
of carts or horses, Sic, upon the penalty of half a crown, 
if upon six days' warning they shall neglect (within the 
[words torn off or illegible] of warning) to clear the way 
for full and free passage." 

" At a general town meeting, held 5 March, 1665-6, 
it was agreed and voted, that there should be trees marked 
for shade for the cattle in all common highways." At 
the same meeting it was agreed and voted, "that the mark 
should be a great T ; " " that whoever shall fell or lop 
any such tree marked by the men appointed, shall pay for 
every tree fallen or lopped, [words illegible] shillings." 

At a meeting of the Selectmen, December 25, 1669, 
among a number of orders and decrees passed by them, 
one was for the preservation of trees ; making it penal to 
cut or leave trees incumbering the highways ; but the 
record is so mutilated that it cannot be fairly copied. 

" At a meeting of the Selectmen, January 13, 1673-4, 
it was then agreed upon, and by vote declared, that all 
such town highways regularly laid out and marked with 
the town mark, all the wood and timber upon these high- 
ways so marked, from half a foot and upward at stub, 
walnut trees and pine trees only excepted, shall be re- 
served for mending of the highways and other public 
works, and that no man shall fall any such tree or trees, 
upon the penalty of ten shillings a tree." 

" At a general town meeting, December 21, 1674, 
granted to William Longley, Jr., that he shall have lib- 
erty to fell those trees, that stand by his farm, shading his 



GRATUITIES OF LAND, 35 

corn, to the sum of three or four, and that he will give 
the town as many trees for mending highway work." 

It is somewhat strange, that so much care should have 
been taken at that time to preserve timber and trees. Had 
the country been an entire forest, as we might have sup- 
posed, encouragement for cutting trees and clearing land 
might rather have been given, than penalties imposed for 
felling and lopping. 

In the year 1665, there was a dispute between the town 
and John Lawrence, Sen., and it was submitted to the 
determination of five men. The referees report and do 
<' declare, that they do thus determine, that is to say, his 
proportion of land being first made good according to his 
grant, we [words illegible] the remainder to be the town's 
land according as it is now bounded." This decision 
became important in its consequences. It seems that 
Lawrence had enclosed common or town's land, and that 
the decision of the referees was against him. But, at a 
town meeting held 21st of 7th mo. 1665, " It was this day 
granted and by vote declared, that John Lawrence shall 
quietly possess and enjoy a parcel of land now in contro- 
versy, and already within his fence and adjoining his 
house lot, containing two acres, more or less, bounded, 
he, and granted to him as a gratuity." " It is also 
granted that every inhabitant shall have the like privilege 
proportionably." And to make the matter more explicit, 
at a town meeting soon after, " It was this day agreed and 
voted, that in consideration of a gratuity formerly granted 
to every inhabitant, agreeable to John Lawrence, Sen. his 
grant the 21 of the 7 mo. '65, that every man shall have 
liberty to take up six acres to a twenty acre house lot, 
and in case it join to his house, every man shall take up 
proportionably thereunto, excepting such as have either 
the whole or any part thereof already ; but if more remote, 
every inhabitant shall have liberty to take up two for 
one." 



36 CONTRACT FOR GRIST-MILL. 

It may be inferred from these records, that Lawrence 
was dissatisfied with the determination of the referees, and 
appealed to the town. The town it seems forgave him the 
wrong and injury, upon condition that every inhabitant 
might do the hke wrong and injury. These gratuities, 
sometimes called in succeeding records, "accommoda- 
tions," gave names to a brook, and a highway, near which 
some of the gratuities were laid out, now called, by con- 
traction, '"Tuity brook," and " 'Tuity road." 

About this time the inhabitants endeavored to procure 
the erection of a grist-mill. By a vote passed, they offered 
to Sergeant James Parker, John Page, James Knap and 
Thomas Tarbell, twenty acres of land where they might 
erect a mill ; that the same should not be taxed for the 
term of twenty years ; that no other person should build 
another mill, except upon his own land and for his own 
use only. A contract was accordingly made and record- 
ed, by which the abovenamed individuals covenanted to 
build a corn-mill upon Sandy Brook, unless " a more meet 
place, in the judgment of the workmen, should appear," 
to have it ready to grind by the first of the eleventh 
month, 1666, to keep it in good repair for twenty years, 
and " to grind the town's corn sufficiently," taking com- 
mon toll only. But by a vote of the town on the 6th of 
the fifth month, 1666, the covenanters were released from 
their obligation. 

" At a general town meeting, held 8th, 3d month, 1667, 
the town having further agitation about a mill for the 
town, and understanding that Capt. Clark, of Boston, had 
manifested a willingness to build a mill for the town, it 
was agreed, and by vote declared, that there should be 
three men chosen to go to Mr. Clark, and power given 
unto them at the same meeting, to make a firm agreement 
with the said Capt. Clark, in the behalf of the town," &c. 
" and the men chosen by the town as their trustees are 



GRIST-MILL BUILT. 37 

Sergeant James Parker, Corporal James Knap, and Benja- 
min Crisp." 

Tlie town clerk was directed to certify to Capt. Clark, 
that the committee had full power to contract with him 
in the town's behalf for the building of a mill. But 
nothing further is found on record about Capt. Clark. 

At a town meeting, of which the date is illegible, it 
" was agreed, and by vote declared, that the land and 
meadows, granted to John Prescott for to build the town 
a mill, namely, the five hundred acres of upland, and 
twenty acres of meadow, together with the mill, should 
be freed from all town's charges whatsoever, for the 
space of twenty years ; and this was the vote of the major 
part of the town that was present at the meeting : these 
four men manifested dissent at that time, — Richard Blood, 
James Fiske, William Longley, and Timothy Allen." 

A committee was then chosen to make the contract, 
who it is presumed performed the service, and a mill was 
accordingly built by John Prescott, who belonged to Lan- 
caster, or by his son Jonas, who was afterwards a distin- 
guished inhabitant of Groton. This mill was built in the 
southerly part of Groton, now the northerly part of Har- 
vard. That School District and section of the town still 
retains the name of " Old Mill." 

" At a town meeting, November 19, 1673, By agree- 
ment of the town, Jonas Prescott is to grind the town's 
corn for the town every second and every sixth day in 
every week." 

After King Philip's war, and the resettlement of the 
town, Jonas Prescott built a mill at Stony brook, near its 
issue from Forge pond, now in Westford ; and from an 
expression in the following vote, it may be inferred that 
the first mill at Harvard was not burned by the Indians, 
when they destroyed the greatest part of the town. 

" June 15, 1680, on a training day, granted unto Jonas 
Prescott, that he should take up a piece of land at Stony 



38 SAW-MILL. 



brook, ill reference to the setting up of a mill there ; and 
he is to take it up on the right hand of the Bay path ad- 
joining to the pond. And he is not to come over the 
path ; and he is to run from Chelmsford line to the line of 
Sergeant Knap, and so much as he takes up there, he is 
to lay down as much again at one of the ends of his land 
that lies where the mill now standeth, two acres for one 
at Stony brook ; and he is to be at the charge of takhig 
up and laying down." 

" At a general town meeting at Groton, June 13, 1681 : 
Then granted to Jonas Prescott liberty to set up his corn 
mill at Stony brook, on the side next Concord, in any 
place between the spring and the bridge, and to have 
liberty to make use of so much and no more of the water, 
as may sufficiently serve for the said mill ; provided that 
what damage thereby may be to the town's highway, the 
said Jonas Prescott shall at his own charge constantly 

make good." 

" An agreement made between Jonas Prescott and the 
town of Groton, that he, the said Prescott, have liberty to 
set up a saw mill at Stony brook, and to have the use of 
the stream, upon conditions as followeth : first, that he 
shall accommodate the town with merchantable boards at 
sixpence a hundred cheaper than they are sold at any 
other saw mills, and for town pay, and that the town shall 
be supplied before any other person ; and he is to have 
this privilege, until there may appear something that may 
be of great advantage to the town, by town works or 
other ways : always provided, the saw mill do not hinder 

the corn mill." 

Among other instructions given to the Selectmen in the 

year 1681, is the fohowing, 

" 3d. That by reason of the complaint of several in- 
habitants, the Selectmen shall take special care, that Jonas 
Prescott do fulfil his agreement with the town." 

Previous to the erection of Prescott's mills, an Indian 



ORDER RESPECTING FENCES, 39 

by the name of Andrew, sold his weir at Stony brook, as 
appears by the following record. 

" The twenty shillings due to Andrew, the Indian, 
from the town for his loarre at Stony brook, assigned by 
said Indian to Richard Blood, the said Richard Blood 
assigns it over to Lieut. James Parker." 

For about twenty years after the first settlement of 
Groton, until a provincial statute was enacted for " regu- 
lating fences, cattle, &ic.," the Selectmen exercised large 
legislative powers on these and other subjects. A few 
specimens of their orders and decrees follow. 

" At a meeting of the Selectmen, January 10 " * * * 
(probably 1670-1.) "To the intent we may preserve 
love and peace in the town, and preserve our corn from 
unnecessarily being destroyed, it is ordered, according to 
power given to the Selectmen to make orders according 
to their best discretion, we order that all the outside fences 
about all cornfields, orchards, and gardens, in the town 
shall be a sufficient five rail fence, or that is in the judg- 
ment of the viewers of the fences, equivalent thereto ; and 
if any man refuse or neglect to make such fences, and 
thereby occasion either his own or his neighbor's cattle to 
an ill haunt, which otherwise would be orderly, shall 
forfeit to the town for every such default, legally proved, 
as a fine, ten shillings ; and we do expect that the viewers 
of the fences should attend their duties herein according 
to law and town order." 

" At a meeting of the Selectmen, February 12, 1672, 
Concerning Swine, — To the end our meadows and corn 
fields should be preserved from damage, it is ordered, that 
all swine that go upon the common from three months 
old and upward, shall be ringed with two sufficient rings 
in each swine's nose, well put in, and to be ringed by the 
tenth of March, and so continue, from time to time, till 
the last of September, and to the end they may be so, we 
do further order, that the men that are chosen to look 



40 ORDER RESPECTING SWINE. 

after swine, shall have sixpence a swine for every swine 
that they find unrhiged in the town from three months 
old and upward, and make it appear legally, that he or 
they have ringed them already according to this order. 

" And further we do order, that if any man's swine in 
this town take any man's cornfield, being legally proved, 
the owners of these swine shall forthwith secure them by 
yoking them or shutting them up, upon penalty of paying 
double damage, after the first time of damage being 
done." 

It appears that the cattle were not confined to enclosed 
pastures, but had the range of the whole country, under 
the care of herdsmen. 

" February 12, 1672. It was this day agreed upon 
that there shall be three herds; the cattle shall be divided 
into three herds, the one reaching from Matthias Farns- 
worth's, and so along the neck to James Fiske's and along 
till we come to Peleg Lawrence's, which herd is to go 
out by Indian hill, by James Fiske's, and the south side 
of Rock meadow. The second herd is to begin at Samuel 
Wood's, taking Nathaniel Lawrence and Thomas Smith, 
till we come at Thomas Williams and William Longley, 
taking in John Lakin and his neighbor's cattle ; and they 
are to go out with their herd by Nathaniel Lawrence's 
and into Unquetenasset woods, by Sargeant Lakin 's, and 
William Longley's, and Richard Blood's. The third herd 
to begin at Timothy Cooper's, and along the west side of 
Broad meadow to Jonathan Sawtell's, taking in the cattle 
of Richard Holden and Justin, and they likewise are to 
go into Unquetenasset woods, if they see cause. These 
several angles are to hire their herdsman, if the major part 
of any company agreeing thereto, the minor are to 
submit." 

Not knowing precisely where the houses of the inhabi- 
tants named in this order stood, we cannot define the 
limits of the several herds. But it is evident that the first 



COMMON POUND. 41 

comprised the south part of the town ; the second, the 
north part ; and the third, the west part ; not, however, 
extending over Nashua river. These orders were passed 
by the Selectmen for several years in succession, with 
very little variation in expression or comprehension. 

'' At a town meeting held 5 March, 1665-6, the town 
agreed with John Page, Joseph Gilson, and Daniel Pearce, 
to make a common pound for the town's use, and they 
are to have fifty shillings for their pains, to be paid out of 
the next town rate. The said pound is to be made thirty 
feet square, six sufficient rails in height, not exceeding 
ten feet in length, the rails are two of them to be pinned 
at each end in every length ; they are to make the gate, 
and to find the irons, and to hang the said gate, with a 
lock and key for the said gate for the use of the town, for 
the aforesaid <£2 IO5. The place to be set up is near the 
meeting-house." ^ 

About this period it was customary for the town to 
choose large committees, whose duty it was to instruct 
the Selectmen in the management of the prudentials of 
the town. These committees would draw up their in- 
structions, and have them put on record xvith the trans- 
actions of the town. A few specimens of these instruc- 
tions follow. 

" In addition to the former instructions given by the 
committee chosen by the town in the year 1680, 10th of 
10th mo. 

" 1. That the Selectmen shall take prudent and speedy 
care, that the meeting-house work shall go on ; and to 
that end, they stir up the constable, that he collect the 
pay, that it be in readiness to pay the workmen for their 
work, according to the covenant made with them ; and 
that they let out the rest of the work, so as it be most for 
the advantage of the town ; and the meeting-house being 

* The meeting-house was not yet built, but the site for it had been deter- 
mined. 

6 



4B INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. 

finished, in the place where it now standeth, the Select- 
men are to give an account to the town at their year's 
end of their receipts of rates, and the improvement of 
their disbursements. 

" 2. Moreover they are to take an account of the con- 
stables, the rates that are committed to them, of their im- 
provements and disbursements, and that the overplus, if 
Einy, it may be improved to the town's advantage. 

" 3. Furthermore, when there is an occasion for a town 
meeting, the Selectmen are to give reasonable warning of 
it, and the several particulars that are to be discoursed of 
that day ; and if there be an invoice to be taken, the 
several inhabitants are to bring it in that day, either by 
bill or some other manner ; and if any person neglect the 
same, they must expect to be rated by will or doom. 

" 4. That whatever rates, that are to be transmitted 
from the Selectmen to the constables, each man's estate 
shall be transcribed on the one side, and their sum on 
the other. 

" 5. And whatever mistakes in any man's rates, that do 
appear heretofore, they are to be amended in the next 
rates. 

" 6. And whatever defects or mistakes that do appear 
in any thing that do concern the meeting-house, they 
shall endeavor to amend and rectify the same. 

" T. And that all rates henceforward, that are made by 
the Selectmen, shall be set down in the town book with 
their sums. 

" 8. The Selectmen shall see that the rates referring 
for the time past for the defraying of Mr. Hobart's salary 
shall be cleared, and a general acquittance taken of Mr. 
Hobart for the same, that it be recorded in the town book, 
and so from year to year, the like care shall be taken by 
the Selectmen. 

" 9. That the Selectmen shall take care that no tran- 
sient person or persons coming into this town, may abide 



INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. 43 

SO long in the town, without warning, as that continuing, 

may become a charge to the town. 

" 10. That the Selectmen do what they can to heal 

the differences that are in the town, in their managing 

the prudential affairs of the town, and do nothing to 

increase or augment the same. 

James Parker, 
Richard Blood, 
William Lakin, 
John Lakin, 
John Page." 

" The instructions given by the town's committee in 
the year 1682." 

" 2. That upon complaint of some of the inhabitants 
that the rates made by the Selectmen be justly propor- 
tioned to every man his just due to pay, and no more. 

" 3. That the Selectmen get a discharge from Mr. 
Hobart for his salary the year past. 

" 4. That the Selectmen take care that all the high- 
ways be sufUciently mended, from house to house, mill, 
market, and meeting. 

" 5. That those laws be read in public meeting, that is 
required, and all other duties belonging to Selectmen, as 
the law directs, be performed. 

" 6. Forasmuch as there has been complaint of many 
poor persons, that cannot pay rates, that the Selectmen 
are to make diligent search, whether it be so, that they 
may be passed in the rates, and take care to pay goodman 
Cady for a cord of wood. 

" 7. The Selectmen are to take special care, that there 
be a town book, and a sufficient man chosen to record 
our lands, as may stand according to law. 

" 8. That the Selectmen do attend to the law of the 
country concerning the Indians in this town. 



44 



INSTRUCTIONS TO SELECTMEN. 



" 9. That the Selectmen do give a true account to the 
town of all the disbursements in the town this year. 

" 10. And also that Sabbath day's service may be per- 
formed in the season of it, that the Sabbath may not be 
profaned, as it is, too much." 

" At a Selectmen's meeting, December 10, 1689, Joseph 
Lawrence agreed with to sweep the meeting-house, hang 
out the flag, and carry water for baptizing children, for 
one year, and he is to have for that service the sum of 
26s." 

In a schedule of the expenses of the town in the year 
1687, is a charge for a constable's staff of £1 Is. 



CHAPTER IV. 

Highways and bridges — Roads of unnecessary width— Bad policy- 
Sales of roads — Highway to Chelmsford — Billerica bridge — Roads 
to Lancaster — Bridges over Lancaster or Nashua river— Agreement 
with Pepperell about bridges — Agreement with Capt. Fitch — 
Other bridges. 

The first highways laid out were of great and unneces- 
sary width, some of them being six or eight rods wide. 
The intentions of those, who laid them out, were undoubt- 
edly good, but the consequences were decidedly bad, 
some of which have continued to the present time. The 
inhabitants, whose lands bounded on the broad ways, 
observing the unnecessary waste of good land, were 
tempted to encroach upon it with their fences. The 
example of one would be naturally followed by another, 
and troubles soon arose and have been continued about 
encroachments upon the highways ever since. Had they 
been of a proper width only, encroachments would proba- 
bly not have been made so frequently. Committees have 
been chosen from time to time to see that encroachments 
should not be made, and to prosecute such as had made 
them. In other instances committees have been chosen 
to legalize the encroachments, by selling to individuals 
the lands they had taken from the highways into their 
enclosures. 

November 4, 1734, the town passed the following vote : 
" Voted and chose Benjamin Prescott, Nathaniel Saw- 
tell, Esqs., Capt. Sheple, Capt. Lawrence and Benjamin 



46 SALES OF ROADS. 

Parker, a committee, and that the committee be directed and 
fully empowered to cause to be opened to their proper width, 
all the highways, private ways or town ways within this 
town, where they are straitened or encumbered, and pros- 
ecute all persons to effect, that have or shall be concerned 
in fencing in, or otherwise encumbering the same ; except 
the person or persons to whose land such highways, town 
ways or private ways join, shall be desirous to purchase 
some parts of the way adjoining to him ; in every such 
case the committee are hereby fully empowered to sell to 
such person or persons, such parts of the ways, as is not 
necessary to be used, for that purpose ; the ways laid out 
six poles wide, not to be made less in any place than four 
poles wide, and those that are now by record four poles 
wide, shall not be made less than three poles by such 
sale." 

By the power and authority given by this vote, the 
committee proceeded to make very extensive sales of 
strips of land enclosed by fences, for a number of years 
succeeding ; and in 1764, a new committee was chosen 
to give titles to persons of such strips, where it had not 
already been done ; the first committee, or a majority of 
them, probably being dead. 

In the year 1747, a committee was chosen to reckon 
with the committee who made sale of the highways, and 
they reported that the last mentioned committee had sold 
to the amount of one hundred and eighty-two pounds 
seven shillings and one penny, old tenor. 

Considering the number of the inhabitants, the dis- 
tance of the place from other settlements, — Chelmsfordj 
Dunstable, Billerica, Lancaster and Concord being the 
nearest, — and the great amount of labor necessary to 
construct a barely passable road over hills, streams, 
swamps and bogs, it is hard to conceive how they were 
able to make the communications and transportations 
absolutely necessary to provide for their sustenance. 



HIGHWAY TO CHELMSFORD. 47 

As early as July, 1665, a highway had been laid out to 
Chelmsford, as appears by the following record. 

" The country highway being determined between this 
town and Chelmsford, by a committee chosen respectively 
by both towns, have agreed, and accordingly laid out the 
country highway from the meeting-house place in the 
* * * (old) cartway to Chelmsford meeting-house, six rods 
in width from place to place." 

This highway was probably where the county road 
from the first parish meeting-house, over the ridges to 
Forge village, is now travelled, or near it. 

" At a meeting of the Selectmen, January 10, 1672, a 
committee chosen to meet with Concord men, Chelmsford 
men, and Robert Blood, to lay out the way to the bay, 
between this and the spring, where it is most passable ; 
and the committee are. Major Willard, Sergeant Parker, 
James Knap." " The Major having not time to attend 
it, Richard Blood is chosen by the town in his room, 
March 17, '72-'73." 

This bay road, or road to the bay, as it is called in the 
records, lay through Chelmsford and Billerica. The 
bridge over Concord river was built at the expense of 
Billerica, Chelmsford, Groton, Dracut and Dunstable, and 
supported jointly by these towns for many years. 

Two highways from Groton to Lancaster were laid out 
within a few years after the first settlement. Of the first 
there is no record,^ but the record of the second sufficient- 
ly explains its necessity. 

" Wednesday, 4 June, 1673. Forasmuch as the coun- 
try highway, as it was formerly laid out by Lancaster 
and Groton, upon several years' trial proved to be very 
insufficient, and very difficult to be made passable, in 
regard it was for the most part lying in the intervales, 
wherein there are several soft places and little brooks, 

' Mr. Abel Davis found traces of the first road, a few years since, upon 
his land, near the mouth of Nonacauicus brook. 



49 HIGHWAY TO LANCASTER, 

upon which bridges and other matter for making the 
same passable, are apt to be raised and torn up by the 
floods, and upon experience of the same, Lancaster made 
apphcation to Groton for removing the said way to run 
more upon the upland, which was readily attended, and 
John Prescott, Sen., and Roger Sumner for Lancaster, 
and Sergeant Parker and Corporal Knap for Groton, were 
chosen committees by both towns to lay out the highway 
as aforesaid ; which was attended the day aforesaid, as 
folio weth, viz., first within the bounds of Groton they 
take their beginning at their meeting-house, to the mill 
of Jonas Prescott, by Matthias Farnsworth his house, six 
rods wide, turning out of the common mill way near 
twenty rods above the mill, and then it runs four rods 
wide through the land of the aforesaid Jonas Prescott, 
according as it is described by trees marked by the men 
aforesaid, and from the said Jonas Prescott's land to Pen- 
nicook river in Lancaster, through Swan swamp, six rods 
wide, as it is already marked out by the committee afore- 
said, and from the way aforesaid, butting upon Pennicook 
near to the night-pasture-wading-place, they take the way 
as it is left in width through the intervale, and over 
Nashua bridge, and so on to the meeting-house, and as it 
is to be understood, that the way in Lancaster bounds 
runs near the midway between the brook meadow and 
plum trees meadow, over a hill called Mahancknit's hill, 
and so along on the upland to the pond path, as it runs 
near to the still-river-meadow and Josiah White's 
meadow, until it comes to the Swan swamp path as afore- 
said ; 2 and to the confirmation hereof, the committee 



2 The construction of this road was, if made passable for teams, undoubt- 
edly as great a tax upon the inhabitants, considering their wealth and num- 
bers, as that of constructing the Worcester and Nashua rail road, lying near 
the same route, would now be to the present inhabitants. Will there be as 
great a change of circumstances in the coming 174 years? 



BRIDGES. 49 

aforesaid have hereunto put their hands, the day and year 

aforesaid. 

John Prescott, 
Roger Sumner, 
James Parker, 
James Knap." 

The exact location of this highway is not known ; but 
by comparing this with other records, it is sup])osed, that 
in Groton it passed between the Baptist raeeting-house and 
the common burying-ground, thence on the west side of 
Broad meadow, as the road now called Farmers' row, runs. 
Matthias Farnsworth, whose house it passed, is known to 
have lived on the south side of James's brook, some where 
near the houses of Ephraim Sawtell and Alva Wright. It 
probably crossed Sandy brook near Calvin Fletcher's saw 
mill, and thence followed the course of the present road 
to near the old mill. The Selectmen in 1669 had ordered 
a sufficient cart bridge to be built over Sandy brook; and 
Matthias Farnsworth was in the eleventh month of that 
year, viz., January, 1670, directed " to make a sufficient 
cart bridge over James's brook beneath his own house in 
that place where the surveyors shall judge it most con- 
venient." 

For the first thirty or forty years after the commence- 
ment of the settlement of Groton, there being no inhabi- 
tants on the west side of Nashua river, a bridge was not 
needed. The first movement (on record) about having 
one, is the following. 

"At a town meeting legally warned, August 22, 1699, 
the town did vote, that they would build a cart bridge 
over Lancaster river at Groton." 

Nothing further appears on the records about this or 
any bridge over Nashua or Lancaster river in Groton, for 
eighteen years, when the following vote was passed. 

" By the major vote agreed, that they will build a 
7 



60 BRIDGES. 

bridge over our river ; and also voted that they will have 
a committee to view the river in order thereto ; the men 
chosen for this committee are John Sheple, John Ames, 
Zachariah Sawtell, Joseph Parker, Jr., and John Holden ; 
and have by the major vote given this committee full 
power to state the place where the bridge shall stand, 
not extending np stream above Tarbell's fordway, nor 
down stream extending the Stony wading-place below 
Kemp's." 

Tarbell's fordway was between where Fitch's bridge 
now stands, and the bridge on the road to Sqiiannacook. 
Stony wading-place is the site of the mills, on the great 
road to Townsend. The aforementioned committee re- 
port thus. 

" Pursuant to said vote, we, the committee^ have 
viewed said river within the bounds and limits aforesaid, 
in order to perjixing and stating the place where the 
bridge shall stand over our river aforesaid, and we do all 
herein agree, and judge for and in behalf of this town of 
Groton, the best and the most commendable and conve- 
nient place for said bridge to stand, is at a place a little 
below the place known and called by the name of ' Wal- 
nut run,' across said river at or near a black oak tree, 
marked on the west side, which stands on the east side of 
said river, to a young black oak tree, which is on the west 
side of said river, with a heap of stones about it. As 
witness our hands." Signed by all the committee. 

It appears that the town did not immediately after this 
report, proceed to build the bridge ; for at a town meet- 
ing held June 11, 1722, a committee was chosen to 
answer in court to a complaint for not building a bridge 
over Lancaster river. And at a meeting, June 25, 1722, 
the town voted to build another bridge between Squanna- 
cook river and Mulpus brook, and chose two committees of 
three men each, to build the two bridges. These com- 
mittees proceeded some time in the work assigned them. 



BRIDGES. 51 

June 10, 1723, the town voted that the committee 
for building the upper bridge should draw twelve pounds 
from the treasury for the work, and the other committee 
eighteen pounds. 

May 14, 1725. The town chose a committee of three 
persons to examine the accounts of the two committees 
for building the bridges. 

Aug. 27, 1725. The town voted, that the two com- 
mittees might give orders upon the town treasurer to 
the persons who had worked at the bridges, for the sums 
due them therefor, and ordered the town clerk to make a 
copy of all the accounts brought in by said committees. 
"Also voted and granted £159 19s. Id. to discharge the 
accounts of the two committees." And at the same 
meeting the following vote passed. 

" Voted, That Lieut. Boyden, Nathaniel Woods, and 
William Lawrence, be a committee to recover and take 
into their possession and custody the irons, plank, and 
timber, that has been got for, and used about, the bridges 
erected, or designed to be set up over Nashua river, and 
dispose thereof, or any part thereof, to the best advantage, 
the profits arising thereby to be accounted for, and paid to 
the town ; and the said committee are fully empowered to 
sue for and recover any such timber, irons, or plank, or 
other material used about each of said bridges, of any 
person or persons that have, or shall take or detain the 
same." 

So the works, after having been prosecuted for two or 
three years at great expense and labor, are abandoned, 
and no bridge over the Nashua is yet completed. The 
next year, March 15, 1725-6, the town voted, that they 
would build a bridge across Nashua river, but upon the 
question, whether at the town's expense, the vote was in 
the negative. Upon the question, whether the town 
would grant liberty to individuals to build a bridge, the 
vote was affirmative. 



52 BRIDGES. 

'' Also voted that John Longley, Jonathan Page, Eph- 
rahn Sawtell, William TarbcU, and William Lawrence, 
with such others as will freely join with them, have 
liberty to erect and finish the bridge at ilie place prayed 
for, viz., between Squannacook and Mulpus brook, where 
said work has already been begun, provided they do it 
within two years ; and that for their encouragement 
therein, they have what hath already been provided for 
said bridge." 

May 19, 172G. A grant similar to the above was made 
to Jonathan Page, Samuel Parker, and John Holden, to 
build a bridge at Walnut run, on the same conditions, and 
with the same encouragement, as expressed in the above 
vote. As nothing further about bridges appears on the 
records for several years, it is inferred that both these 
bridges were erected and made passable within the two 
years limited by the above votes. 

Tantae iiiolis erat trans JJumen condere ■poiitem. 

At a town meeting, May 16, 1740, the town voted, 
" that there shall be a bridge built, rebuilt, erected, or set 
up across Lancaster river, near to Samuel Kemp's, Junior, 
where a bridge formerly stood," &c. Granted the sum 
of fifty pounds for the purpose, and chose a committee 
to perform the service, and require of the town of Town- 
send, that they pay part of the expense, and in case 
Townsend should refuse, that the representative of Groton 
in the General Court should petition to have them com- 
pelled to do it. But the next year, November 24, 1741, 
it was " voted to rebuild the bridge across Lancaster river 
at the Walnut run, or where the last bridge last stood." 
They also voted forty pounds for the purpose, and chose 
Ezra Parnsworth, Samuel Tarb«ll and Joseph Whitney, a 
committee to rebuild, and "to take care of the materials of 
the old bridge." So it appears that notiiing was etfected 



BRIDGES. 53 

pursuant to the votes of May 16, 1740, as Samuel Kemp's, 
Jr., and Walnut run, mean one and the same place. And 
it seems by the following vote that the bridge was not 
rebuilt till the next year. 

" At a town meeting, August 24, 1742, voted, that the 
great bridge by Kemp's (so called) be raised at the town's 
cost — the committee appointed to build said bridge, to call 
such persons to raise said bridge as they shall think fit. 
And all such persons as are assisting in raising said bridge, 
shall be allowed the sum of five shillings, old tenor, each 
man, per day, and a dram." 

A bridge was built about this time at Stony wading- 
place ; for August 29, 1743, a committee was chosen to 
repair it. 

Among the records of 1750, is the following. 

" The town taking into consideration the great and 
heavy charge they labor under, and in particular to main- 
tain so many cart bridges over such a large and rapid 
river as Lancaster river is ; and it appearing to the said 
town, that the bridge at the Walnut run, so called, is 
much the less used by the inhabitants of the said town 
than any one of the others, that are built across said river ; 
but inasmuch as there is a country road laid out to, from, 
and over said bridge, which leads to Townsend line, so 
that the said town can't change or discontinue said road, 
or any part thereof; and whereas we have two other 
bridges on each side of the aforesaid bridge, and we have 
or can make convenient roads to each of said bridges to 
accommodate the inhabitants of Townsend and others, 
that have occasion to travel that way ; therefore voted, 
that William Lawrence, Esq., Capt. Samuel Tarbell and 
Capt. John Bulkley, be a committee to make application 
to the Court .of General Sessions of the Peace for the 
county of Middlesex, to get part of the road leading to 
Townsend exchanged, so as to lead or go over some of 
the other bridges, and the aforesaid bridge at the Walnut 



54 BRIDGES. 

run, so called, discontinued ; or that the town of Town- 
send be obliged to help maintain it." 

By this it appears, that the number of bridges over 
Lancaster river, in Groton, in 1750, was the same as at 
present ; and they all stood at the same places, except, 
perhaps, the bridge at the Walnut run stood farther up 
the river, than Fitch's bridge now stands. 

In May, 1751, a committee was chosen to repair the 
bridge at Wood's fordway, viz., where the bridge now 
stands, on the road leading to Squannacook ; and in 
March, 1753, mention is made of repairing the bridge near 
Blood's fordway, which is now called Jewett's bridge. 

After Pepperell had become a district, there being two 
bridges, one half of each of which being in said district, 
and the other half in Groton, the following agreement 
was made and has been fulfilled by the parties thereto, to 
the present time. 

" Articles of agreement made and concluded upon, by 
and between William Lawrence, Esq., Samuel Tarbell, 
Gent., and Joseph Stone, Yeoman, all of Groton, a com- 
mittee for said town on the one party, and Peleg Law- 
rence, David Shattuck and Nehemiah Hobart, Yeomen, a 
committee for the district of Pepperell, on the other party, 
all in the county of Middlesex, witnesseth, that whereas 
there are two cart bridges now built or erected over and 
across Lancaster river, which are built between the said 
town of Groton, and the district of Pepperell, viz., one at 
the Stony wading-place, so called, the other a little below 
Joseph Blood's fordway, so called, and whereas the said 
town of Groton and the said district are obliged to main- 
tain the said bridges to the middle of the river, each on 
their own side, and inasmuch as it hath been considered 
by the said town and district, that it may become advan- 
tageous for both, for one to do all to one, and the other 
all to the other, therefore, we, the said William Lawrence, 
Samuel Tarbell, and Joseph Stone, in our said capacity 



BRIDGES. 55 

of a committee for said town, do covenant and agree with 
the said Peleg Lawrence, David Shattuck, and Nehemiah 
Hobart, a committee for said district, that the said town 
of Groton shall from time to time, mend, maintain and 
keep in good repair, the bridge called the Stony wading- 
place bridge, so long as the county road shall be con- 
tinued there ; and the said district of Pepperell shall keep 
up and maintain a good cart bridge, where it is now, a 
little below Joseph Blood's fordway, so called ; and at all 
times keep the said Stony wading-place bridge in so good 
repair as to secure the said district from any charge by 
reason of a presentment by the grand jury, he, always 
provided, that in case there should be a presentment 
against the said district, then the said district to give the 
said town of Groton, or such person as they shall desire 
to appear and make answer thereto, full power to answer; 
and for want of such power, the said town of Groton shall 
be free from any charge on that account ; neither is it to 
be understood, that said town of Groton are to be held 
to make or maintain the said Stony wading-place bridge 
any longer than the said district make or maintain a good 
bridge near Blood's fordway, as aforesaid. For the true 
performance of the covenants and agreements aforesaid, 
we, the said parties, have set to our hands and seals, this 
16th day of September, 1754. In the 28th year of his 
majesty's reign." Signed, sealed, he. 

At a town meeting in May, 1760, the town chose a 
committee to petition the General Court for leave to raise 
by a lottery a reasonable sum of money to maintain four 
bridges over Lancaster river, between Groton and the 
districts of Pepperell and Shirley, and one great bridge 
over Squannacook river at the mills. The bridge at 
Walnut run was omitted in this vote, but for what reason, 
does not appear. 

For many years after this period, persons were annually 



66 RRIDGES. 

chosen to inspect and repair the great bridges ; one, the 
upper, or Page's bridge, one, that at Wood's fordway, and 
one, that at Stony wading-place. That at Walnut run, 
or Kemp's, now Fitch's bridge, was maintained by a few 
inhabitants, who were particularly accommodated by it. 
Afterwards the Selectmen were annually chosen for that 
purpose. 

In September, 1771, an article was inserted in the war- 
rant for a town meeting, " to choose some proper person 
or persons to view, mark, and purchase any such timber, 
as may be thought proper for the use of the great bridges 
across the river," and such committee was thereupon 
chosen. This was probably done under the apprehension 
that such timber would soon be scarce. 

In May, 1772, Col. Prescott, Dr. Prescott, and Capt. 
Amos Lawrence, were chosen to petition the General 
Court for relief about the bridges ; but it does not appear 
that any relief was granted. 

In the warrant for town meeting, October, 1779, the 
twelfth article was this. 

" To see if the town will keep the bridge over the river 
at Kemp's fordway in good repair for the future, or make 
the proprietors thereof any allowance for the same." 
Thereupon 

" Voted, That Capt. Fitch, Samuel Hemenway, John 
Simonds, James Adams, Caleb Blood, and Jacob Gragg, 
(persons living on the west side of the river,) be excused 
from any proportion of the highway taxes in this town in 
future, so long as they shall agree to keep in repair the 
bridge mentioned in the 12th article." 

In April, 1803, Capt. Zachariah Fitch proposed to the 
town, that he would support the bridge and the two 
highways leading from it on the easterly side of the river 
the distance of twenty rods, for the sum of thirty dollars 
per annum, which proposition the town accepted. 

In 1806 a committee was chosen to consider and report 



BRIDGES. 57 

what was expedient relating to the support of that bridge, 
who reported that Capt. Fitch ought in justice to have a 
grant of thirty dollars, to make present repairs, and in ad- 
dition to thirty dollars annually, his proportion of the 
highway tax in future. This report was accepted. 
Capt. Fitch and his heirs have supported said bridge ever 
since. 

It is notorious, that the burden of making and support- 
ing highways and bridges falls very unequally upon 
towns, in proportion to their wealth and population. 
The towns of Billerica, Concord, Framingliam, Groton, 
Stow, Sudbury and Wajdand, in the county of Middlesex, 
are at more expense for bridges, than other towns in the 
county. Various movements have been made by those 
oppressed in this particular, such as appear by the fore- 
going votes of Groton, to obtain relief, and equalize the 
expenses, but none have been permanently successfuL 
Besides the five bridges over Nashua, and one over 
Squannacook rivers, within the bounds and upon the 
limits of Groton, there are two over Cow-pond brook, one 
over Nonacauicus, one over Sandy, one over Unquetenas- 
set, and nine over James's brook, besides many others 
over smaller streams. The whole length of highways is 
about one hundred miles. 



8 



CHAPTER V. 

Division of the ToM'n — Parcel witli Nashobah set off to make Little- 
ton — Compensation for the loss by Groton Gore — Hon. William 
Prescott's country seat — Line of New Hampshire run — Loss and 
compensation — Harvard and Westford to have parcels — Precinct of 
Pepperell — Districts of Shirley and Pepperell — Parcels to Dunsta-. 
ble — From Pepperell to Groton. 

The original grant of the plantation or township of 
Groton, as has been stated in Chapter I., was a territory 
comprising sixty-four square miles, or 40,960 acres. By 
the incorporations of Shirley and Pepperell, and by setting 
off parcels to other adjoining towns, Groton is now re- 
duced to a territory of about thirty-six square miles, or a 
little more than a moiety of its original size. 

The first dismemberment took place in the year 1715, 
when Nashobah was incorporated a town by the name of 
Littleton, and a large portion of Groton at the south-east 
part, was included within the bounds of the new town. 
The following proceedings of the proprietors or town of 
Groton, show the quantity of land thus set off, and other 
particulars in relation thereto. 

" At a legal town meeting, July 25, 1734, being assem- 
bled, &ic. 

" Whereas the Great and General Court have been 
pleased to grant the contents of eight miles square in 
answer to the petition of Dean Winthrop and others for a 
township to be called Groton, a plan whereof was pre- 
sented to the Court for confirmation. Anno Domini 1717, 
which plan was accepted, excepting where the same 
joined to Littleton, and a line established there, which 



GROTON GORE. 59 

interfered with the said plan, so far as to take from the 
town of Groton about 2,788 acres and 40 perches ; and 
whereas there were two farms containing about thirteen 
hundred acres of land laid out within the said plan before 
the grant of the town, not considered, nor any allowance 
made in the said plan, nor to the town or proprietors, for 
the same ; wherefore, unanimously voted, that Benjamin 
Prescott, Esq., representative of this town, be desired and 
fully empowered to prefer a petition to the General Court, 
setting forth the true state and circumstances of the case 
of the town, for some of the unappropriated land of the 
province, as an equivalent for said farms and land taken 
off by the line established, dividing between Groton and 
Littleton ; and use his best endeavours to obtain a grant 
thereof." 

By the following it appears, that the representative was 
successful in his application. 

" At a legal meeting of the proprietors of common land 
belonging to the town of Groton, being assembled and 
met the 26th day of May, 1735, 

" Voted, That in consideration of the charge and ex- 
pense that Benjamin Prescott, Esq., has been at in peti- 
tioning for, and recovering the grant of ten thousand 
eight hundred acres of land in the gore between Town- 
send and Dunstable, to the proprietors of Groton afore- 
said, there be and there hereby is, granted and confirmed 
to the said Benjamin Prescott, his heirs and assigns for- 
ever, one thirteenth part of the said ten thousand eight 
hundred acres granted, as aforesaid," — " provided the said 
Prescott pay all the charges that has arisen about that 
affair, in surveying the land taken by Littleton, and 
taking the plan of the gore, and procuring the acceptance 
thereof." ^ 

* The descendants of the Hon. Benjamin Prescott, still own a farm in Pep- 
perell which was a part of said gore. It was the late Hon. William Pres- 
cott's country seat. 



60 NEW HAMPSHIRE LINE RUN. 

In February, 1741, the long disputed line between the 
provinces of Massachusetts and New Hampshire, in con- 
formity to royal determination, was surveyed and marked 
by Richard Hazen. This line passed through Groton 
gore, leaving a large portion thereof, and a triangular piece 
of what was originally Groton, in the State of New 
Hampshire.^ Here again the proprietors of Groton sus- 
tained a loss of their lands ; but after a long delay they 
petitioned the General Court and received a compensation, 
as appears by the following records. 

"At a legal meeting of the proprietors of Groton, June 
3d, 1771, 

" Voted, and chose a committee to petition the Great 
and General Court for a grant of land, in consideration of 
Groton gore, so called, that was lost by the late running 
of the line between this province and the province of New 
Hampshire." 

" July 8th, 1771. At a legal meeting of the proprietors 
of Groton. 

" Whereas there is a grant of seven thousand eight 
hundred acres of the unappropriated lands lying in the 
westerly part of this province, made by the Great and 



' The following action of the town took place the autumn before the run- 
ning of the line between the Provinces of Massachusetts Bay and New 
Hampshire. 

" At a legal town meeting on the last Monday of September, 1740, 
" Being informed that the determination of his majesty and council re- 
specting the controversary bounds between the province of the Massachu- 
setts Bay and New Hampshire, how part of this town is excluded from the 
said province of Massachusetts Bay, to which they always supposed they 
belonged, therefore voted, that a petition be preferred to the King's most 
excellent majesty, setting forth our distressed circumstances, and praying 
that we may be annexed to the province of the Massachusetts Bay, and 
voted, nemine contradiccnte, that Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., of Boston, be, 
and he hereby is fully empowered to present to his majesty, and to appear 
and fully to act for and in behalf of the inhabitants and proprietors of this 
town respecting the subject matter of said petition, according to his best dis- 
cretion," Slc. 



PARCELS TO HARVARD AND WE9TF0RD, 61 

General Court of said province, in June, 1771, to the pro- 
prietors of Groton, voted, that four hundred acres of said 
granted lands be given and granted by said proprietors to 
Col. James Prescott, Capt. Joseph Sheple, and Lieut. Jo- 
siah Sawtell, to them, their heirs and assigns," &c. 

"April 12, 1773. The committee appointed to lay- 
out the grant of land made by the General Court to the 
said proprietors in June, 1771, in lieu of Groton gore, so 
called, reported to the proprietors of said grant, verbally, 
that about the one half of the grant was laid out, and the 
plan was accepted by the Court ; that the other half was 
laid out, and a plan presented to the Court for acceptance, 
but was not accepted, but ordered to lie, till the line be- 
tween this province and New York was settled, the land 
lying near the said line." 

Upon the incorporation of Harvard, taken principally 
from Lancaster and Stow, Groton gave up a considerable 
territory to that new town, comprising the " old mill " 
portion. A portion on the east line of Groton was about 
the same time annexed to Westford, originally a part of 
Chelmsford. 

The following votes of the town show pretty definitely 
what parts were so set off. 

" At a town meeting March 3d, 1729-30. 

" Upon motion and application of Simon Stone, Jr., 
Jonathan Farns worth, Eleazer Robbins, Jonathan Farns- 
worth, Jr., Ephraim Farnsworth, Jeremiah Farnsworth, 
and Eleazer Davis, voted, that the town is willing the 
persons aforenamed, with the land on the southerly part 
of the town, as far as to the brook about six rods souther- 
ly of James Stone's house, ^ where the highway crosses 
said brook, so easterly and westerly on a parallel line with 
the south line of the township, to the towns of Littleton 
and Lunenburg, be annexed to some parts of the towns of 

' Now Abel Stone's house. 



62 HARVARD AND WESTFORD. 

Stow and Lancaster for a separate township, when the 
General Court pleases. The farm called ' Cauicus,' or 
Major Willard's farm, or such part thereof as shall fall 
within the line aforesaid, excepted, the property of said 
lands, divided or undivided, remaining to the proprietors 
thereof" 

" Upon reading the petition of Capt. Jonas Prescott, 
Abner Kent, Ebenezer Prescott, and Ebenezer Townsen, 
all of Groton, relating to their being annexed to the town 
of Westford ; therefore voted, that the town is willing 
that they be accordingly set off, according to their peti- 
tion, and the land therein contained, viz., from the north- 
west corner of Stony-brook pond, to the north-westerly 
corner of said Westford, commonly called ' Tyng's cor- 
ner,' south by the pond, in order to their being annexed 
to Westford aforesaid ; the property of said land, divided 
or undivided, remaining to the proprietors thereof" 

By the insertion of the last clause in each of the pre- 
ceding votes, the proprietors had no occasion to petition 
the General Court for remuneration. 

Dec. 16, 1730. A petition was presented to the Gover- 
nor General and House of Representatives, praying that a 
new township might be incorporated from parts of Lan- 
caster, Stow, and Groton, upon which an order of notice 
upon these towns issued. 

Aug. 17, 1730. The town of Groton chose a commit- 
tee to answer the petition, and endeavor to prevent any 
land upon the west side of the river to be taken from 
Groton, or any more on the east side, than had been voted 
on the petition of Simon Stone and others. And it seems 
that this committee succeeded in such endeavors, for the 
line described in Stone's petition is the present one be- 
tween Groton and Harvard, on the east side of Nashua 
river. 

Nov. 29, 1738. A petition signed by certam inhabitants 



PETITION FOR A NEW TOWN. 63 

of Dunstable and Groton, to the number of twenty-one 
settlers and fifteen non-residents, was presented to " His 
Excellency Jonathan Belcher, Esq., Captain General and 
Governor in Chief; and to the Honorable the Council 
and House of Representatives in General Court assem- 
bled," showing that those of the petitioners, who belonged 
to Dunstable, were situated nine or ten miles from their 
meeting-house, and those in Groton, six miles, by reason 
of which they were deprived of the benefits of preaching ; 
that there was a tract of good land about six miles square, 
well situated for a township, bounded thus, " beginning 
at Dunstable line at Nashua river, so running by the 
westerly side of said river southerly one mile in Groton 
land, thence running westerly a parallel line with Groton 
north line, till it comes to Townsend line, and then turn- 
ing and running north to Groton north-west corner, then 
from Groton north-west corner, by Townsend line and by 
the line of Groton new grant, till it comes to be five 
miles and a half to the northward of Groton north line, 
from thence due east seven miles, thence south to Nashua 
river, and so by Nashua river south-westerly to Groton 
line, the first mentioned bound." That there were al- 
ready within these lines nearly forty families, and many 
more ready to come, were it not for their disadvantageous 
situation abovementioned, and praying that said territory 
might be incorporated into a distinct township. Upon 
this petition a particular order of notice issued, and James 
Minot and John Robeson, appointed by the House, and 
Thomas Barry, Esq., joined by the Council, were a view- 
ing committee, but the prayer of the petition was not 
granted. 

The following petition resulted in the setting off of 
Pepperell, first as a precinct and afterwards as a district. 

" To his Excellency William Shirley, Esq., Captain 
General and Governor in Chief of his Majesty's Province of 



64 PETITION FOR A PRECINCT. 

Massachusetts Bay, in New England ; to the Honourable 
his Majesty's Council and House of Representatives in 
General Court assembled on the 26th day of May, A. D. . 
1742. The petition of us, the subscribers, to your Ex- 
cellency and Honors, humbly showeth, that we are the 
proprietors and inhabitants of the land lying on the 
westerly side of Nashua river, so called, in the north-west 
corner of the township of Groton, and such of us as are 
inhabitants thereon, live very remote from the public 
worship of God in said town, and at many times and 
seasons of the year are put to great difficulty to attend the 
same, and the lands bounded as followeth, viz., southerly 
on Townsend road, westerly on Townsend line, northerly 
on Dunstable west precinct and old town, and easterly on 
said river as it now runs, to the first mentioned bounds, 
being of the contents of about four miles square of good 
land, well situated as a precinct, and the town of Groton 
hath been petitioned to set off the lands bounded as afore- 
said, to be a distinct and separate precinct, and at a town 
meeting of the inhabitants of said Groton, assembled on 
the twenty-fifth day of May last past, the town voted the 
prayer of the said petition, and that the lands before de- 
scribed should be a separate precinct, and that the inhabi- 
tants thereon, and such others as hereafter shall settle on 
said lands, should have powers and privileges that other 
precincts in said province have, or do enjoy, as per a copy 
from Groton town book herewith exhibited may appear, 
&c. For the reasons mentioned, we, the subscribers as 
aforesaid, humbly pray your Excellency and Honors to 
set off the said lands bounded as aforesaid, to be a distinct 
and separate precinct, and invest the said inhabitants 
thereon, containing about the number of forty families, 
and such others as shall hereafter settle on said lands, 
with such powers and privileges as other precincts in said 
province have, he, and grant to your petitioners such 
other relief in the premises, as your Excellency and 



PETITION FOR SHIRLEY. 65 

Honors in your great wisdom shall think fit, and your 
petitioners, as in duty bound, shall ever pray. 
Benjamin Swallow, 
William Spaulding, 
Isaac Williams," (and others.) 

" The above petition was concurred in, in Council, 
June 26, 1742. 

T. Gushing, Speaker." 
"William Shirley." 

Several other petitions of the inhabitants of the north 
part of Groton and west part of Dunstable were preferred 
to the General Court about the time of the presentation of 
the above, praying a township or district ; but the last 
above was the successful one. 

The following petition commenced the separation of 
SHirley from Groton. 

" To the inhabitants of the town of Groton, assembled 
in town meeting on the first day of March, 1747. The 
petition of us, the subscribers, being all inhabitants of the 
town of Groton aforesaid, humbly showeth, that your pe- 
titioners all live in the extreme parts of the town, and by 
that means are incapacitated to attend the public worship 
constantly, either ourselves or families ; and being sensible 
that our being set off in order for a precinct will be of 
great service to us, we desire that we may be set off by 
the bounds following, viz., beginning at the mouth of 
Squannacook river, and so run up said river till it comes 
to Townsend line, and then by Townsend and Lunen- 
burg lines till it cometh to Groton south-west corner, and 
so by the south line of said town until it cometh to Lan- 
caster river, and then down said river till it cometh to 
Harvard corner, and then about a mile on Harvard north 
line, then turn north and run to the waste brook in 
9 



66 DUNSTABLE LINES. 

Coicors (Cauicns or Nonacaicus) farm, where people gen- 
erally pass over, and from thence to the mouth of Squan- 
nacook river, where we first began ; and your petitioners, 
as bound in duty, shall ever pray, &,c. 

John Whitney," and 32 others. 

" The above petition was read at the anniversary meet- 
ing in Groton, March 1, 1747, and the prayer thereof 
granted, except the land on the easterly side Lancaster 
river, and recorded. 

Thomas Tarbell, Town Clerk." 

This precinct was incorporated a district by the name 
of Shirley, January 5th, 1753 ; and the first one set off 
was incorporated a district by the name of Pepperell, 
April 12, 1753, These two districts joined with Groton 
in the choice of a representative to the General Court, as 
appears by the records, till the year 1775. An Act of the 
Legislature passed in the year 1786, made all districts 
which had been incorporated previous to 1777, towns, 
without any special Acts for each, by which Act Shirley 
and Pepperell became towns.^ 

By an Act of the Legislature, passed February 25, 1793, 
on the petition of sundry inhabitants of the north part of 
Groton, about twenty families with their estates were 
taken from Groton and annexed to Dunstable. By this 
the jurisdictional line between the two towns formed 
eighty-six angles, and was attended with much inconve- 
nience. It continued, however, to be the boundary line 
till February 15, 1820, when by another Act a line was 
established, taking one family and a considerable territory 
from Groton and annexing it to Dunstable, and forming 
but five angles. 



* From and after 1775, Shirley and Pepperell each chose representatives 
to the General Court, separate ftom Groton, and made their records as towns; 
but by what authority, I know not. I find no acts of incorporation. 



GROTON AT PRESENT. 67 

By an Act, passed February 6, 1798, Moody Chase, 
Samuel Chase, and Simon Daby, (or Darby,) with their 
estates, lying at the south-west corner of Groton, on the 
easterly side of Nashua river, were taken from Groton and 
annexed to Shirley. 

Lastly, by an Act passed February 3, 1803, four acres 
and twenty rods of land on the west side of Nashua river 
near Fitch's bridge, were taken from Pepperell and an- 
nexed to Groton. 

From Groton, therefore, as originally granted and sur- 
veyed by Jonathan Danforth, have been taken nearly the 
whole of Pepperell and Shirley, large portions of Littleton 
and Dunstable, and less portions of Harvard and Westford, 
leaving it in no place bounded as at first, except on 
Townsend and Tyngsborough. And instead of sixty-four, 
it now contains about thirty-six square miles. 



CHAPTER VI. 

Indian Wars — Philip, chief of the Wampanoags — His foresight and 
wars — Attack upon Groton, March 2d, 9th and 13th — The town 
burnt and deserted — Daniel Adams's petition — Town meeting at 
Concord — Petition for relief — Squaws taken up by Sargeant La- 
kin — King William's war — Officers — Garrisons — William Long- 
ley's family killed, with others — Petition for relief — Queen Anne's 
war — Tarbell boys taken— Sheple's house burnt — John Shattuck 
and son killed — Jacob Ames killed — Expedition to Norridgewock, 
and death of Ralle — Lovell's war — His first, second and last expe- 
dition — Lovell's fight and consequences — Story of Chamberlain 
and young Paugus — Reflections. 

Of all the embarrassments, difficulties and discourage- 
ments, which the early settlers of Groton had to encoun- 
ter, those arising from the hostility of the aborigines, na- 
tives, or Indians, as they are more commonly called, were 
by far the most appalling and distressing. For the term 
of about fifteen years, however, after the settlement com- 
menced, it being a time of peace between the Massachu- 
setts colony and the Indians, nothing appears on record, 
that the settlers suffered or felt any alarm from their 
savage neighbors. But during this very period, Metacom, 
by the English named Philip, a sachem of the Wampa- 
noags, a tribe inhabiting some part of the State of Rhode 
Island, a courageous warrior, possessing a sagacity and 
foresight not common in a savage, had conceived, and 
was cautiously maturing a plan to extirpate the European 
population of New England. He rightly judged, that if 
the settlements by foreigners progressed as they had done, 
and were then doing, the rightful proprietors of the soil 



Philip's plan of war. 69 

must rapidly fly before the usurpers, or suffer extermina- 
tion. He, therefore, in order to prevent what has long 
since happened, endeavored to unite the various tribes in 
and about New England in a plan to make a general and 
simultaneous attack upon the new settlers, and if possible, 
destroy them at once. He concealed his designs as well 
as he could from his intended victims. But one Sausa- 
man, an Indian, who was friendly to the whites, knowing 
the intentions of Philip, disclosed them ; and for that kind 
act was soon after killed by the Warapanoags. Where- 
upon three of his murderers were seized by the English 
of Plymouth colony, tried, convicted, condemned and 
executed. Philip himself was charged with being an 
accomplice, and not attempting to disprove the charge, it 
was thought he was guilty. Finding now that his plans 
were known to those upon whom they were intended to 
be executed, he no longer practised deception, but though 
unprepared for the contest, commenced open war. But 
for the disclosures of the unfortunate Sausaman, and for 
his commencing hostilities before his allies were fully 
prepared to join in the attack, he might probably have 
succeeded in his enterprise. 

Though the laws of the Colonies forbade selling fire 
arms and ammunition to the Indians, they had not been 
strictly obeyed, and the French at Canada, and the Dutch 
at New York, had trafficked with them in these articles; a 
French baron in particular residing in Penobscot had sup- 
plied them, so that at this time they had a considerable 
supply of guns, and had learned to use them expertly. 
The numbers of those combined in Philip's plot for ex- 
termination, cannot be estimated with any great degree 
of certainty. The whole number of white inhabitants at 
that time in New England has been estimated at one 
hundred and twenty thousand ; about the same number 
that our county of Middlesex alone now contains. Had 
they all dwelt on a territory not larger than Middlesex, 



70 WAR COMMENCED. 

they could have defended themselves with less expense, 
and have suffered less than they did, being scattered over 
a country now comprising five States of the Union. 

This calamitous war commenced June 24, 1675, at 
Swanzey, now in the county of Norfolk. The Indians 
began by rifling some houses, killing some cattle, and 
menacing the inhabitants ; whereupon one of them was 
shot, and immediately eight or nine of the whites were 
killed. Brook field, Mendon, Lancaster, Sudbury, Marl- 
borough, Groton, and other towns of Massachusetts, were 
soon after the scenes of fire, slaughter, captivity, torture 
and sufferings, of which we at this time can give no ade- 
quate description. The events of this savage war will be 
narrated no farther than they have some connection with 
the settlement at Groton. 

The first mention of any thing in relation to the In- 
dians, or the war, in the records of Groton, is the follow- 
ing. 

" At a meeting of the Selectmen, July 22, 1675, a rate 
made for defraying the charge of the war, the sum of 
£23 14s. 4rf." 

" At a general town meeting held November 8, 1675, It 
was this day agreed upon and by vote declared, that there 
should be a committee chosen to treat with Mr. Willard 
about sending down to the General Court to inform and 
supplicate them, that we may have paid to us what is our 
due from the country, and also that the billet of the sol- 
diers may be upon the country's account ; and also if this 
would not do, for to stand it out at law with them." 

" At a general town meeting, held December 9, 1675, It 
was this day agreed upon and by vote declared, that the 
soldiers that are still remaining in the town, shall be con- 
tinued in the town at the town charge, till such time as 
we hear a return from the army gone against the Narra- 
ganset, and then * * * to meet again to consider what is 
* * * to be done." 



PETITION TO THE GENERAL COURT. 71 

It is easily perceived by these votes, that the inhabi- 
tants at the time of the first, did not feel greatly alarmed, 
but at the time of the second they had become apprehen- 
sive of danger. 

The annual town meeting for the choice of town 
officers was held December 10, 1675, after which there 
are no records for the two next succeeding years. 

The following copies of original papers, written in the 
time of Philip's war, will aid us in estimating the alarm- 
ing, perilous and distressing condition of the inhabitants 
of the frontier towns in this eventful crisis. 

" To the Honoured Council of the Massachusetts sitting 
in Boston, the humble petition of us, whose names are 
subscribed, humbly shows, 

" That whereas it seemeth meet to your worships to 
commend unto our honored Major Willard, and impose 
upon him the maintaining a continued scout of forty 
troopers and dragoons to range between Groton, Lancas- 
ter and Marlborough, and those parts, we make bold 
humbly to present our conceptions upon that account. 
For Marlborough, we do conceive the present supply left 
there in garrison do answer the end more fully, and will 
also render our scout an unnecessary burden ; for Lancas- 
ter and Groton, we find by experience that the safety is 
little advanced in this way, by reason of so long absence 
and so great distance of this scout, necessary in this 
method. Besides the incumbrance lying upon us for 
quarters for horse and men, besides the drawing up of our 
men from several towns to such a limit seems to carry in- 
convenience with it ; the towns from whence our forces 
are raised, especially Chelmsford and Billerica, being weak 
and in want of more strength at home, and danger occur- 
ing to them, by the sudden and suspicious removal of the 
Weymessit Indians, whose troopers do hereupon desire a 
release. Moreover, the conceptions of the towns related 



72 PLANS FOR DEFENCE. 

conceive, humbly, that a scout of garrisoned soldiers, 
though of a less number, and these footmen, whom the 
towns may out of themselves make dragoons, by order 
from authority as occasion may present, would be more 
for the security of the towns; besides the hazard in which 
so small a number must needs go in, as we have sufficient 
ground to suspect by experience, and many emergencies, 
which may suddenly fall out, before address be made to 
your worships. We humbly present to your honors' con- 
sideration, and if it seem rational, to alter or add to this 
matter according to your discretion. 

" Your honors' humble supplicants, 
James Parker, 
Th. Wheeler, 
Henry Woodhouse." 
" Groton, Feb. 6, 1675." (1676.) 

The foregoing petition is in the handwriting of the 
Rev. Mr. Samuel Willard, then minister of Groton, and 
son of Major Simon Willard, a prominent character of 
those days. It is seen by its date, that it was written 
three or four days before the burning of Lancaster, and 
about five weeks before that of Groton. 

'* Cambridge, 28 : 1 mo. 1676. 

" In obedience to an order of the Honorable Council, 
March, 1675-6, appointing us, whose names are under- 
written, as a committee to consult the several towns of 
the county of Middlesex, with reference to the best means 
of the preservation of our out-towns, remote houses, and 
farms, for their security from the common enemy, we 
having sent to the several towns to send us their appre- 
hensions by some one meet person of each town, this day 
we consulted concerning the same, and have concluded to 
propose as followeth. 

" 1. That the towns of Sudbury, Concord and Chelms- 



SCOUTS RECOMMENDED. 73 

ford be strengthened with forty men apiece, which said 
men are to be improved in scouting between town and 
town, who are to be commanded by men of prudence, 
courage and interest in the said towns, and the parties in 
each town are to be ordered to keep together in some 
place commodious in said towns, and not in garrisoned 
houses ; and these men to be upon charge of the 
country. 

" 2. That for the security of Billerica there be a garri- 
son of a number competent at Weymessit, who may raise 
a thousand bushels of corn upon the lands of the Indians 
in that place, may be improved daily in scouting and 
ranging the woods between Weymessit and Andover, and 
on the west of Concord river on the east and north of 
Chelmsford, which will discover the enemy before he 
comes to the towns, and prevent lurking Indians about 
our towns. Also that they shall be in a readiness to succor 
any of the three towns at any time when in distress ; also 
shall be ready to join with others to follow the enemy 
upon a sudden after their appearing. 

" 3. That such towns as Lancaster, Groton, and Marl- 
borough, that are forced to remove, and have not some 
advantage of settlement (peculiar) in the Bay, be ordered 
to settle at the frontier towns, that remain, for their 
strengthening ; and the people of the said towns to which 
they are appointed, are to see to their accommodation in 
the said towns. 

" 4. That the said towns have their own men returned 
that are abroad, and their men freed from impressment 
during their present state. 

" 5. That there be appointed a select number of persons 
in each town of Middlesex, who are, upon any information 
of the distress of any town, forthwith to repair to the 
relief thereof; and that such information may be season- 
able, the towns are to dispatch posts, each town to the 
next, till notice be conveyed over the whole country, if 
10 



T4 STOCADOES DISAPPROVED. 

need be. And in reference to the line of stocadoes, pro- 
posed to the spsious consideration, after our best advice 
upon it, it is conceived by ourselves, and by all the per- 
sons sent by the several towns, that it is not admissible 
for the reasons following. 

" 1. The excessive charge to effect it, maintain and 
keep it, the line being conceived, by those that know it 
best, to be longer than is proposed ; neither can several 
fords fall in the line, unless it be run so crooked that it 
will be more disadvantage than profit. 

" 2. The length of time before it can be accomplished, 
in which time it is to be feared that many of the towns 
included will be depopulated, unless other means pre- 
vent. 

" 3. The damage it will be in taking off laborers, 
which in this season of the year had need be improved in 
sowing and planting, help in many places being very 
scarce. 

" 4. The useiiilness of it, when it is done, it being so 
easy a matter to break through it, and the rivers which 
are to fence a great part of these towns are fordable in 
several places, and in all other places passable by rafts, 
&,c., which is much in use by the Indians at this day. 
We might add the great discontent and mourning of the 
people in general, so far as we have had opportunity to 
discourse concerning it, that we fear the imposing of such 
a thing would effect an ill consequence. These things 
considered, besides several other reasons of weight, that 
might be added, cause us to present our apprehensions, as 
in the first place we did, that the drawing of this line at 
this time is not admissible : but all wnth humble submis- 
sion to your honors in the case. 

" Your humble servants, 

Hugh Mason, 
Jonathan Danforth, 
Richard Lowdon." 



APPORTIONMENT OF SOLDIERS. 



75 



Weymessit, named in the above report, was where the 
city of Lowell now stands. The tribe were generally- 
friendly to the English, but after the commencement of 
Philip's war, having suffered some injuries done tliem by 
mistake or otherwise, they did some damage in Billerica, 
Chelmsford and Dracut, and about this time suddenly left 
the place, and it was feared had joined the enemy ; so the 
English proposed to occupy their planting grounds. 

" For the better securing our frontier towns from the 
incursion of the enemy, it is ordered by this Court and 
authority thereof, that in each and every of these towns 
hereinafter mentioned, respectively, shall be allowed for 
their defence a suitable number of soldiers, well armed 
and furnished with ammunition fit for service ; the number 
or proportion in such towns to be as follows, viz. 



Groton, . . 


. 20 men. 


Weymouth, 


. 15 men 


Pawtucket, 


. — men. 


Billerica, 


. 20 men 


Sudbury, 


. 30 men. 


Andover, . 


. 20 men 


Braintree, . 


. 15 men. 


Concord, 


. 20 men 


Bradford, . 


. 10 men. 


Milton, . . 


. 10 men 


Haverhill, . 


. 20 men. 


Hing^ham, . 


. 20 men. 


Chelmsford, 
Medfield, . 


. 20 men. 
. 30 men. 


Dedham, 


. 20 men 



" And it is further ordered, that each and every of the 
towns above mentioned, shall well and sufficiently main- 
tain their several proportions of men with suitable pro- 
visions, respecting diet, at their own proper cost and charge 
during the time of their service. 

" These garrison soldiers, together with those who are 
to be in the prosecution of the enemy, are to be raised out 
of the four counties in which the garrisons are to be set- 
tled, and that these soldiers that are raised out of the gar- 
rison towns, shall be allowed them in part of the garrison, 
according as their proportion shall be, and that the set- 
tling of these garrisons in the respective towns, as to the 
place, and also the commander-in-chief, together with di- 



76 Hubbard's narrative. 

rection for the improvement of said garrisons to the best 
advantage for the security of towns and persons, it shall 
and is hereby left to the committee of militia in the seve- 
ral towns, who are hereby required and empowered to act 
therein according to this order. And tViis to be instead 
of a line of garrisons formerly proposed. 

" The deputies have past this with reference to the 
consent of the honored magistrates hereto. 

William Torrey, Clerk." 

" Not consented to by the magistrates. 

Edw. Rawson, Sec'y." 

In the year 1676, or 1677, the Rev. William Hubbard, 
minister of Ipswich, in the county of Essex, wrote " A 
Narrative of the Indian Wars," from the first settlement of 
the country to that time. A committee deputed by the 
Governor and Council of Massachusetts, " to peruse and 
licence the same," say of it, that " it is judged meet for 
public view, and we do accordingly order it to be im- 
printed, as being of public benefit, and judge the author 
to have deserved due acknowledgment and thanks for the 
same." 

Though there is a want of method and precision in his 
account of the destruction of Groton, and some confusion 
in his relating the several incidents thereof, I prefer giving 
that author's narrative, to any abridgement I might make 
of it. 

" March 2, (1676,) they assaulted Groton ; the next day 
over night. Major Willard with seventy horse came into 
town ; forty foot also came up to their relief from Water- 
town, but the Indians were all fled, having first burnt all 
the houses in the town save four, that were garrisoned, 
the meeting-house being the second house they fired ; 
soon after Capt. Sill was sent with a small party of 



FIRST AND SECOND ATTACK. 77 

dragoons, of eight files, to fetch off the inhabitants of 
Groton, and what was left from the spoil of the enemy, 
having under his conduct about sixty carts, being in depth 
from front to rear above two miles, when a party of In- 
dians lying in ambush, at a place of eminent advantage, 
fired upon the front and mortally wounded two of the first 
carriers, who both died the next night, [and would] (had 
God permitted) have done eminent damage to the whole 
body, it being a full hour before the whole body could be 
drawn up, which was done with care and courage ; but the 
Indians, after a few more shot made without doing harm, 
retired, and made no further assault upon them, being the 
same party of Indians which the day before had burnt 
some part of Chelmsford. Soon after, this village was 
deserted and destroyed by the enemy, yet it was a special 
providence, that though the carts were guarded with so 
slender a convoy, yet there was not any considerable loss 
sustained. 

*' The surprisal of Groton was after this manner. On 
the 2d, the Indians came in the night and rifled eight or 
nine houses, and carried away some cattle, and alarmed 
the town. 

" On March 9th, about ten in the morning, a parcel of 
Indians, (having two days lurked in the town, and taken 
possession of three out-houses, and feasted themselves 
with corn, divers swine and poultry, which they there 
seized,) laid an ambush for two carts, which went from 
their garrison to fetch in some hay, attended with four 
men, two of whom espying the enemy, made a difficult 
escape, the other two were set upon, and one of them 
slain, stripped naked, his body mangled and dragged into 
the highway, and laid on his back in a most shameful 
manner ; the other taken captive and sentenced to death, 
but the enemy not concurring in the manner of it, exefcu- 
tion was deferred, and he by the providence of God es- 
caped by a bold attempt the night before he was designed 



78 THIRD ATTACK. 

to have been slaughtered, and fled to the garrison at Lan- 
caster, the cattle in both towns wounded and five of them 
slain. 

" March 13, was the day when the enemy came in a 
full body, by their own account four hundred, and thought 
by the inhabitants to be not many less. The town was 
at this time (having been put into a fright by the sad 
catastrophe of Lancaster, the next bordering town) 
gathered into five garrisons, four of which were so near 
together, as to be able to command from one to the other, 
between which were the cattle belonging to those families 
driven into pastures, which afterwards proved their pre- 
servation ; the other was near a mile distant from the rest. 

" This morning the Indians (having in the night placed 
themselves in several parts of the town) made their onset, 
which began near the four garrisons ; for a body of them 
having placed themselves in ambuscade behind a hill near 
one of the garrisons, two then made discovery of them- 
selves, as if they stood upon discovery. At this time 
divers of the people, not suspecting any such matter, (for 
the day before many had been upon discovery many miles, 
and found no signs of an enemy being so near,) were 
attending their occasions, some foddering their cattle, 
some milking their cows, of whom the enemy might 
easily have made a seizure, but God prevented ; they 
having another design in hand, as soon after appeared. 
These two Indians were at length espied, and the alarm 
given ; whereupon the most of the men in the next gar- 
rison, and some also in the second, (which was about 
eight or nine poles distant,) drew out and went to surprise 
those two Indians, till our men reached the brow of the 
hill, then arose the ambush and discharged a volley upon 
them, which caused a disorderly retreat, or rather a rout, 
in Vhich one was slain and three others wounded. Mean- 
while another ambuscade had arisen, and come upon the 
back side of the garrison so deserted of men, and pulled 



THE TOWN BURNT. 79 

down the palisadoes. The soldiery in this rout retreated 
not to their own, but passed by to the next garrison, the 
women and children meanwhile exposed to hazard, but 
by the goodness of God made a safe escape to the other 
fortified house, without any harm, leaving their substance 
to the enemy, who made a prey of it, and spent the resi- 
due of the day m removing the corn and household stuff 
(in. which loss five families were impoverished) and firing 
upon the other garrison. Here also they took some cattle. 
No sooner was the signal given by the first volley of shot, 
but immediately in several parts of the town at once, did 
the smoke arise, they firing the houses. In the afternoon 
they used a stratagem not unlike the other, to have sur- 
prised the single garrison, but God prevented. An old 
Indian (if an Indian) passed along the street with a black 
sheep on his back, with a slow pace, as one decrepid. 
They made several shot at him, at which several issued 
out to have taken him alive, but the watchman, seasona- 
bly espying an ambush behind the house, gave the signal, 
whereby they were preserved. 

" The night following, the enemy lodged in the town, 
some of them in the garrison they had surprised, but the 
body of them in an adjacent valley, where they made 
themselves merry after their savage manner. The next 
morning they gave two or three volleys at Capt. Parker's 
garrison, and so marched off, fearing, as was thought, that 
a supply might be nigh at hand. 

" This assault of theirs was managed with their wonted 
subtlety and barbarous cruelty, for they stripped the body 
of him whom they had slain in the first onset, and then 
cutting off his head, fixed it upon a pole looking towards 
his own land. The corpse of the man slain the week 
before, they dug up out of his grave, they cut off his head 
and one leg, and set them upon poles, and stripped off his 
winding sheet. An infant, which they found dead in the 
house first surprised, they cut in pieces, which afterward 



80 BOASTING OF MONOCO. 

they cast to the swine. There were about forty dwelhng 
houses burnt at that time, besides other buildings. This 
desolation was Ibllowed with the breaking up of the town 
and scattering of the inhabitants, and removal of the 
candlestick, after it had been there seated above twelve 
years. 

" Concerning the surprisal of Groton, March 13, there 
was not any thing much more material, than what is 
already mentioned, save only the insolency of John 
Monoco, or one eyed John, the chief captain of the In- 
dians in that design ; who having by a sudden surprisal 
early in the morning seized upon a garrison house in one 
end of the town, continued in it, plundering what was 
there ready at hand all that day, and at night did very 
familiarly in appearance, call out to Capt. Parker, that was 
lodged in another garrison house, and entertained a great 
deal of discourse with him, whom he called his old 
neighbor, dilating upon the cause of the war, and putting 
an end to it by a friendly peace, yet oft mixing bitter 
sarcasms with several blasphemous scoffs and taunts, at 
their praying and worshipping God in the meeting-house, 
which he deridingly said he had burnt. Among other 
things, which he boastingly uttered that night, he said he 
burnt Medfield, (though it be not known whether he was 
there personally present or no,) Lancaster, and that now 
he would burn that town of Groton, and the next time 
he would burn Chelmsford, Concord, Watertown, Cam- 
bridge, Charlestown, Roxbury, Boston, adding at last in 
their dialect. What me will, me do. Not much unlike the 
proud Assyrian (if his power had been equal to his pride) 
sometimes threatened against Jerusalem, but was by the 
remarkable providence of God, so confounded within a 
few months after, that he was bereft of his four hundred 
and four score, (of which he now boasted,) and only with 
a few more braggadocios like himself, Sagamore Sam, 
Old Jethro, and the Sagamore of Q,uaboag, were taken by 



MONOCO HUNG. 81 

the English, and was seen (not long before the writing of 
this) marching towards the gallows, (through Boston 
streets which he threatened to burn at his pleasure,) with 
an halter about his neck, with which he was hanged at 
the town's end, Sept. 26, in this present year, 1676.^ 

"After this, April 17th, Capt. Sill being appointed 

to keep garrison at Groton, some Indians coming to hunt 
for swine, three Indians drew near to the garrison house, 
supposing it to have been deserted, were two of them 
slain by one single shot, made by the Captain's own 
hands, and the third by another shot made from the 
garrison." 

It would be gratifying to be able to identify the spots 
where the principal events of this narrative transpired ; 
where stood the four garrisons, or garrisoned houses, 
which stood within call of each other, and where the one 
nearly a mile distant, which was the one taken by the 
enemy, and from which Monoco held converse with CapL 
Parker j behind what hill the ambush lay on the morning 

• In order to make this narrative consistent with itself, as to time and a 
regular succession of events, as they happened, conjecture and explanations 
are necessary. 

It seems there were three attacks upon Groton, ome on the second of 
March, one on the ninth, and the third and principal one on the thirteenth. 
On the second of March they rifled houses, carried away cattle, &c. ; on the 
ninth, feasted on swine, poultry, &c., killed one man, and made another cap- 
tive, who afterwards escaped to Lancaster; and on the thirteenth they burnt 
the town, killed one man, and wounded three. After this, the inhabitants 
removed to Concord. The words in the first paragraph, under date of March 
second, "the next day over night," are evidently a misprint. Major Willard 
with seventy horse, and forty foot, from Watertown, could not have come to 
the relief of the town upon such short notice. Besides, it is said, " the 
Indians had all fled, having burnt all the houses in town, except four garri- 
sons." Now this did not happen till the thirteenth. Suppose we read 
instead of " next day over night " next day fortnight ; then would Major 
Willard have come on the seventeenth, when, to be sure, the Indians had all 
fled. The first paragraph gives only the general result of the principal 
attack, and the particulars of the removal of the inhabitants. Then, in the 
second paragraph, the author gives the account of the first attack, and in tJie 
II 



0» LOCALITIES OF GARRISONS. 

of the thirteenth, and in what valley the enemy revelled 
the night after. But these particulars are forever hidden 
from us and posterity. Such localities, however, are still 
known, as show nearly where some of the transactions 
happened, and after careful observation we may conjec- 
ture, with more or less confidence, where others took 
place. For instance, it is known that Capt. Parker's 
house lot was the land now owned by Dr. A. Bancroft 
and his son, on both sides of the great road, and his house 
probably stood as near the brook as was convenient. 
John Nutting's house lot joined Parker's on the north 
side of the brook, and his house might be within "eight 
or nine poles " of Parker's, at or near the house of Aaron 
Perkins. Mr. Willard, the minister, owned the house lot 
south of Parker's, and tradition places his garrison on the 
land of Jonathan Loring, partly between his house and 
the road. Here then were the sites of three of the four 
garrisons. Nutting's must have been the one from which 
the men went out to take the two Indians, who discovered 

third paragraph, under date of March 9, the particulars of the second attack; 
the last clause in this paragraph seems to have no connection with the rest. 
Then follow the particulars of the third attack, on the thirteenth, and the 
departure of the enemy on the fourteenth. The " place of eminent advan- 
tage," where the Indians fired on the teams which were carrying off" the 
inhabitants, under Capt Sill, is said to be the "ridges." A story is still 
occasionally told in relation to this place. It is said, that travellers, when 
crossing the ridges in the night time, frequently heard the cries and screams 
of women and children, reminding them of this attack upon the retreating 
inhabitants in former times. It once happened that Col. James Prescott, on 
returning from Boston late on a fine moon-shining night, when he came to this 
place, happened to think of the tales so often told about the " cries and 
screams " there heard, and could not forbear to listen a little, that he might 
himself be a witness of the fact. lie soon heard the usual noise ; but unwil- 
ling to be simply a confirmer of what others had told, he determined to 
know more of the matter; so tying his horse, he proceeded in the direction 
of the cries, till coming to the small pond on the north side the ridge road, he 
found the noise still onward. He went round to the north side of the pond, 
when by the aid of the full moon he was enabled to discover, not the ghosts 
of the women and children, who in olden time had there been frightened 
into shades, but a Utter of young minks. 



DANIEL ADAMs's PETITION. S3 

themselves, and in their flight passed by to that of Capt. 
Parker, and from which Morioco conversed with Parker 
in the night. The fourth may have been north of Nut- 
ting's, or south of Mr. WiUard's. It is easy to conceive, 
then, that the ambush lay behind the hill on Dr. Ban- 
croft's land, formerly covered with pines, that the two 
Indians discovered themselves on that hill, being nearer 
to Nutting's garrison than Parker's. And where was the 
" adjacent valley," in which the Indians made themselves 
merry the night after, but on the land of the Rev. C. 
Walker, easterly of his house ? 

The following copies of original documents corroborate 
the above conjectures. 

" To the right Honorable the Governor and Council 
sitting in Boston. 

" The petition of Daniel Adams humbly showeth, that 
the petitioner went out as a volunteer upon the scout 
from Concord, in company with some of Concord and 
some of Lancaster, and they coming to Groton, your pe- 
titioner there killed an Indian, and hath received no 
wages from the country for any service that he hath 
done ; notwithstanding he hath been out upon the same 
account several times both the last summer and the last 
winter, and is now going out again under the command 
of Lieut. Curtis. 

" Your petitioner, therefore, humbly requests the favor 
of your honors to consider the premises, and to grant him 
an order to the treasurer for his satisfaction, according as 
the law allows in that case ; so shall he be ever engaged 
to pray, &:c. Daniel Adams." 

This original petition is endorsed, "21 April, 1676," 
and is accompanied with the following testimony. 

"At Groton, 14 March, 1676. There was Daniel 
Adams, who was very helpful to the town of Groton, 



84 INDIAN KILLED ON PARKER's ISLAND. 

with some others of Lancaster, and the said Daniel Adams 
did kill one Indian at Mr. Willard's garrison. 

" Witness, John Cadye, 

and Samuel Woods.'^ 

" We who saw him fall to the ground and not rise 
again. As witness, Nicholas Cadye." 

" Samuel Woods, of Groton, about forty years of age, 

witnesses that he saw two Indians standing upon Capt. 

Parker's island, at Groton, and Daniel Adams shot at 

them, and one of them fell down and the other ran away. 

" 17th day of 2 month, 1676. 

" Mark (f) of Samuel Woods." 

" Alse Woods, aged about forty years, testifieth and 
saith, that at Groton, upon the day that most of the town 
was burnt by the Indians, she heard several say, that 
Daniel Adams had killed an Indian ; and she went up 
presently into Mr. Willard's garret, and saw two Indians 
standing over a dead Indian about half an hour, and then 
they carried him away, and further saith not. 

" The mark (O) of Alse Woods." 

Capt. Parker's island could be no other than Dr. Ban- 
croft's field, comprising the hill, behind which lay the 
ambush. The distance from Mr. Willard's garrison, sup- 
posing it stood on Jonathan Loring's land, is not too great 
to be within gunshot. 

If the whole number of whites killed at Groton, during 
Philip's war, are enumerated in the foregoing accounts, as 
probably they are, the loss of life was not so great at this 
place as in many others. The whole number of English 
killed and lost in New England during this war, is esti- 
mated by Hoit at six hundred, twelve or thirteen towns 
destroyed, and six hundred buildings, mostly dwelling 
houses, burnt. Dr. Trumbull's estimate, in every partic- 



PEACE RESTORED. 85 

ular, is higher. He conchides that about one fencible 
man in every eleven was killed, every eleventh family 
burnt out, or that one eleventh part of the whole militia 
and of all the buildings were swept off by the war. 

The pious writers of those days complain bitterly of 
the cruelties of the savages in their manner of conducting 
the war, and treatment of captives. " Hell hounds," and 
" devil's imps," are epithets freely bestowed upon them ; 
but an attentive and candid examiner of the history of 
the times, and of all the circumstances of the case, espe- 
cially after reading the account of the '* swamp fight," in 
Rhode Island, in December, 1675, against the Narragan- 
setts, will find, that if retaliation is allowable in war to 
all but Christian warriors, no just cause of complaint can 
be found on account of the destruction of our villages by 
fire or otherwise ; or for tortures inflicted upon old age, 
women and children. 

King Philip having been killed, and most of his war- 
riors either killed, taken, or dispersed, a welcome peace 
was restored to this part of the province. Many of the 
inhabitants of Groton had resided in Concord from the 
breaking up of the settlement to the return of peace. 
The following is a copy from the Indian roll, aforemen- 
tioned, being the first record made after the choice of 
town officers, in December, 1675, a term of two years. 

" At a general town meeting of the inhabitants of 
Groton, warned by Capt. Parker, Lieut. Lakin, Ensign 
Lawrence, Goodman Morse, and assembled at Concord 
12th of the 10th m., (December,) 1677. 

" Such as were present did then and there agree, that 
if the providence of God prevent not by death or sick- 
ness, or by the enemy, that then we will go up in the 
spring following and begin to repair our habitations again, 
if God permit; and for the true performance of this agree- 
ment we do engage the forfeiture of our whole right in 



86 TOWN MEETING AT CONCORD. 

Groton unto those that do go up and carry on the work ; 
and to this agreement we have here set our hands. 



"James Parker, sen., 
Richard Blood, 
William Lakin, 
Nathaniel Lawrence, 
Jonathan Sawtell, 
John Morse, 
James Knap, 



Samuel Woods, 
his (L) mark, 

Nathaniel Blood, 
his (O) mark, 

Thomas Tarbell, 

John Parish, 

Peleg Lawrence." 



" Voted that all puhlic charges for this present year 
ensuing, shall be raised upon the first division of land 
granted, or accommodation of lands. 

" Chosen to warn a town meeting, Goodman Blood, 
Lieut. Lakin, Sargeant Knap, Ensign Lawrence and 
Thomas Tarbell, jr. The meeting to be the first Thurs- 
day in March. And this meeting town officers 

to nominate other public charges . 

" This meeting to be at Groton." ~ 

Whether this meeting to be held in Groton, March, 
1678, w^as held according to the vote, does not appear. 
The first record made after the above, relates to the grant 
of lands to Mr. Gershom Hobart, the successor of Mr. 
Willard in the ministry ; and to his coming and settling 
as the minister of the town. It purports to be records of 
proceedings of a meeting held June 29, 1678, but written 
out from memory at a subsequent time. The date of the 
next meeting is illegible. The selectmen held a meet- 
ing 4th of 6th month, 1679, after which time the records 
are more ample and perfect. 

The following petition, probably sets forth in a true light 
the situation of the inhabitants upon their resettlement. 

" The humble petition and request of the greatest num- 
ber of the former inhabitants of the town of Groton, 

* This line in the margin. Blanks, torn and illegible. 



PETITION OP THE INHABITANTS. 87 

" Humbly showeth to the honorable General Court, 
sitting in Boston, as folioweth, viz. We, who have been 
great sufferers by the hand of God in the last wars by 
our heathenish enemies, as is well known to all, &lc., by 
which we have been enforced to fly before our enemies, 
to our great and grievous loss and trouble ; by the good 
hand of God to us, have had so much reprieve and re- 
spite, as we have many of us had the liberty and opportu- 
nity to return to the place, though not to the houses of 
our former abode. And now being under and exercised 
with many and great difficulties, apprehending it our duty 
to address ourselves not only to our heavenly Father, but 
earthly fathers also, in this time of need, do humbly beg 
our case may be seriously considered and weighed ; and 
that some direction and relief may be afforded unto us. 

" Some of us, the inhabitants, have ventured our lives 
some while since to return again, and many others have 
followed us, whose welcome company is rejoicing unto 
us. Yet our poverty and the non-residence of others 
doth occasion us great and unavoidable trouble. We 
have, through God's goodness in blessing our endeavors 
and attempts, procured and obtained the ministry of the 
word among us, and have been at some considerable 
charge about it, and are willing, if God please, to keep 
and maintain it among us. But there are some discour- 
agements upon sundry accounts. We have had several 
town meetings to consult the good and welfare of the 
town and place, and how things may be carried on as to 
defraying public charges, and it hath been voted in our 
meetings, (our visible estate being small,) to lay it on the 
lands, that so an equality in some respects might be 
reached unto. This is by the most judged to be the 
present best, yea, the only present possible way for us to 
proceed in, which we desire your honored selves to put 
the countenance of authority upon. As also that our 
late dreadful sufferings, ruins, and impoverishments may 



88 PETITION AND ANSWER. 

by your honored selves be so far minded and considered, 
that we may for the present, (till we a little recover our- 
selves,) be delivered from country charges. We would 
be rightly understood as to our first request, that the way 
by lands and accommodations for the levying of town 
charges, may be abated but for the present four years, till 
God by his providence may alter our capacity and condi- 
tion. Thus craving pardon for this our boldness, that 
success and a blessing may attend you in all your affairs, 
that God may accomplish his promises and build the 
waste places, set up his house and ordinances, where they 
have been removed, delight to build and plant us again, 
and not to pull us down and pluck us up, that we may 
yet see this desolation a quiet habitation. Thus pray 
your humble and unworthy petitioners. 

James Parker, Selectman and Clerk, -^ 

in the name of the rest." 

"At a town meeting at Groton, May 20, 1679, there 
read and voted by the inhabitants." 

" May 30, 1679. In answer to the petition of James 
Parker, in the name of the greater part of the inhabitants 
of Groton, it is ordered by this Court, and the authority 
thereof, that for three years next coming, in all levies 
made for the benefit of said place, and the maintenance of 
God's ordinances there, those that have lands there, and 
are not resident upon the place, shall pay rates for their 
lands, as those do that are resident, and the inhabitants 
resident be abated one single rate per annum to the coun- 
try, for the like time ; provided, that the cattle upon the 
plain be liable to pay rates also. 

Edward Rawson, Sec'ry." 



' James Parker is no where else styled clerk. Perhaps he was town 
clerk in 1678 and 1679, when no records were kept. 



KING WILLIAM'S WAR. 89r 

From 1678, to 1689, there was generally peace between 
the settlements and the Indians. But the following 
copies from the " Indian roll," show that the Indians 
were not very desirable neighbors, even when not in a 
state of war. 

"January 31, 1681, (1682.) It is agreed upon by the 
selectmen, that the Indians shall be warned out of the 
town forthwith, and if they neglect the warning, and if 
any of them be taken drunk, or in drink, or with drink, 
then their persons are to be seized and brought before the 
selectmen, either by constable or by other person, and be 
punished according as the law doth direct ; and the in- 
former shall be satisfied for his pains." 

" March 28, 1682. Two squaws being apprehended 
in drink and with drink, brought to the selectmen one 
squaw ; Nehatchechin squaw, being drunk, was sen- 
tenced to receive, and did receive, ten stripes ; the other, 
John Nasquun's squaw, was sentenced to pay 3s. Ad. 
cash, and lose her two quart bottle, and the liquor in it, to 
Sargeant Lakin, who seized them." 

In 1689, King William's war, so called, commenced, 
and New England, especially the frontier towns, was 
again the scene of war, conducted with the usual barbari- 
ties and cruelties of savages. Many of the same towns 
and villages, which had been partially or wholly destroyed 
in Philip's war, were again attacked ; and if less property 
was destroyed, more lives in many places were lost. 

Immediately after the commencement of this war, the 
inhabitants of Groton made the following petition to the 
General Court, and sent James Knap and James Parker, 
jr., with it, to make explanations and obtain an answer. 

« Groton, July 16, 1689. 
" To the honored Governor and Council and Represen- 
tatives. 

" These lines show the request of your humble ser- 
12 



9U PETITION AND ORDER OF COURT. 

vants, the inhabitants of the town of Groton, in our 
present unsettled and almost distracted condition. We 
make bold to trouble you once more, craving your advice 
and assistance, if it may be obtained, that we may go on 
with our business, to gather in our harvest, and do other 
necessary work. The bearers hereof, James Knap, and 
James Parker, jr., are fully able to acquaint the honorable 
Council with our condition, both in military and other 
cases in the town. Our officers are by the new choice, 

James Parker, sen.. Captain, 

Jonas Prescott, Lieutenant, 

John Lakin, Ensign. 

" Per order of the town of Groton. 

Josiah Parker, Clerk." 

" July 17, 1689. The commission officers, nominated 
as above, are allowed and confirmed by the Governor and 
Council, and they do order Capt. Prout to deliver unto 
James Knap, and James Parker, jr., for the use of said 
town, forty pounds of powder, and one hundred weight 
of lead, taking their bill to repay it again unto the store 
at some convenient time, and do also appoint the Major 
of the lower regiment in that county, to order the impress- 
ing of ten soldiers, in a meet proportion out of the several 
companies under his command, to be sent as soon as may 
be to their relief. 

" By order of the Governor and Council. 

IsA. Addington, Sec'y." 

Aug. 12, 1689, the town voted, " that the selectmen 
should forthwith make a ten pound rate to maintain four 
soldiers at Mr. Hobart's garrison." 

Mr. Hobart, the minister, lived on the spot where the 
Baptist meeting-house now stands. 



GARRISONS IN 1692. 



91 



An arrangement of the garrisons for Groton was made 
March 17, 1691-92 as follows. 



10 



13 



" Ensign John Lakin, and "j 
John Paris, 
Widow Blood, jr., 
William Saunders, 
John Lakin, ^ 

Nathaniel Blood, 
John Alexander, 
Benjamin Palmer, and 
their families. 



Enosh Lawrence, ^ "| 
Lieut. Lakin and 3 sons, 
Joseph Lawrence, 
Sam. Walmer( Warner?) 
James Blood, )■ 

John Shattuck, 
Samuel Kemp, 
Daniel Barney, and \ 

their families. J 



Lieut. Jonas Prescott and 
Widow Sawtell with him, 
Nathaniel Lawrence, 
James Knap, 
Elias Barron, 
Samuel Scripture, 
Ephraim Philbrick, 
Daniel Pierce, 
John Barron, 
Stephen Holden, 
John Perham, 
Samuel Davis, and 
their families. 

In all, thirty 



Capt. James Parker, "^ 
Samuel Parker, 
James Parker, 
Zac. Parker, 

William Longley, 1 1 

John Nutting, 
Thomas Tarbell, 
James Robinson, 
James Nutting, and 
their families. 

William Green and "j 

John Lawrence, j 

Abigail Parker, widow, | 
Joshua Wheat, 

Samuel Church, | 

Joseph Parker, '11 

John Greene, .' mer 
Daniel Cady, 

John Page and sons, | 

Samuel Woods, sen., I 

Thomas Woods, and | 

their families. J 

John Davis, 
Nicolas Cady, 
Cornelius Church, 
John Cady, 
Joseph Cady, 
Joshua Whitney, 
Joshua Whitney, jr., 
Peleg Lawrence, 
Jonathan Lawrence, 
James Fiske, 
Samuel Fiske, 
Robert Robin, and 
their families. 



John Farnsworth, "I 

Matthias Farnsworth, 
Benjamin Farnsworth, 
Samuel Farnsworth, 
Widow Farnsworth, j> 
Simon Stone, 
John Stone, 
Nicholas Hutchins, and 
their families. j 



10 



At Mr.Hezekiah Usher's 

farm, 
Samuel Bennett, 

Bennett, 

Three soldiers. 



5 

men. 



91 men." 



9^ SUPPOSED LOCALITIES. 

It would gratify curiosity to know the sites of these 
several garrison houses, and where each family lived, (for 
it is presumed that the above schedules contain every 
family in the town,) but this can be stated only in a 
general and imperfect manner. 

Ensign John Lakin, and the families named with him, 
are believed to have lived at that part of the town called 
Nod, being now included in school district No. V. 

Capt. James Parker's house lot lay on both sides of the 
county road, and is now owned by Dr. A. Bancroft. His 
garrison was probably near the brook bearing his name, 
James ; and the persons named under him, probably lived 
near him, in school district No. XIV. 

Enosh Lawrence, and those associated with him, occu- 
pied the northerly part of the town, embracing parts of 
school districts No. V. VI. and VII. 

William Greene, and his associates, dwelt in district 
No. I., from the first parish meeting-house southerly and 
easterly. 

Lieut, Jonas Prescott owned the mill at what is now 
called Forge village, in Westford, but he lived near where 
Stuart J. Park now lives, and the names directly under 
his, were those of his near neighbors, and those named in 
the other column lived between the ridges and William 
Green's associates ; occupying school districts Nos. X. 
and XIII. 

John P"'arnsworth, and his associates, lived in the south 
part of the town, embracing school districts No. II., XII. 
and the part of Harvard called " Old mill." 

The location of Mr. Lasher's farm and the Bennetts' is 
not known ; but as the brook rising in Harvard and run- 
ning into Spectacle pond is called " Bennett's brook," it 
is probable that Usher's farm was one of those mentioned 
in another connection, in the part of Groton now included 
in Littleton, and that the Bennetts lived in the vicinity of 
that brook. 



WILLIAM LONGLEY AND FAMILY KILLED. 93 

No historian of those times gives so particular account 
of the calamities and sufferings of Groton, in King Wil- 
liam's war, as Hubbard did in Philip's. Cotton Mather, 
who wrote near the close of it, has the following. " On 
July 27, (1694,) about break of day, Groton felt some 
surprising blows from Indian hatchets. They began 
their attacks at the house of one Lieutenant Lakin, in the 
out skirts of the town, but met with a repulse there, and 
lost one of their crew. Nevertheless, in other parts of 
that plantation, (where the good people had become so 
tired out as to lay down their military watch,) there were 
more than twenty persons killed, and more than a dozen 
carried away. Mr. Gershom Hobart, the minister of the 
place, with part of his family, was remarkably preserved 
from falling into their hands, when they made themselves 
the masters of his house, though they took two of his 
children, whereof the one was killed, and the other some 
time after happily rescued out of his captivity." 

Among the killed were William Longley, his wife, four 
or five of their children, and two children of Alexander 
Rouse, a near neighbor. Among the captives was John 
Longley, a small boy, son of William. ) ' y' 

Mr. Longley was a large proprietor of lands, a respecta- 
ble townsman, and town clerk at the time of his death. 
Records of town meetings, held June 6, and 23, and July 
19, of that year, are in his hand writing in the Indian roll. 
His house stood upon a small knoll a few rods south of 
the house where John Lawrence lived and died. A small 
stone, even with the surface of the ground, under a stinted 
apple tree, near the site of the dwelling house, is the only 
monument to mark the spot, where the bodies of this 
family were buried. How far length of time has corrupted, 
marred, or exaggerated the tradition respecting the slaugh- 
ter of this family, can never be known. As told by the 
oldest people now living, the story is as follows. 

The Indians, having lurked about the premises undis- 



94 JOHN LONGLEY RANSONMED. 

covered, the day previous to the slaughter, watching a 
favorable opportunity to etfect their purpose, early in the 
morning of the fatal day turned the cattle out of the barn- 
yard into a cornfield, and lay in ambush. This trick had 
the desired effect, to draw out some of the family, prob- 
ably Mr. Longley and his sons, unarmed, to drive the 
cattle from the corn. The Indians then rose upon them, 
and either killed or took captive the whole family. It is 
said, however, that a daughter, Jemima by name, whom 
they had tomahawked and scalped, was found alive, sit- 
ting upon a rock, and that she survived many years, was 
married and had children. John, the lad before men- 
tioned, was carried to Canada, where he remained with 
his savage captivators for five years. His relatives at 
length ransomed him, but he had became so accustomed 
to savage life, that he left it with reluctance, and those 
who brought him away, were obliged to use force to 
accomplish their mission. It is further said of this lad, 
that after the Indians had proceeded some way from the 
place, and had made a halt, he told them that his father's 
sheep were shut up in the barn, and would there starve, 
but if they would permit him to go back, he would turn 
them out and return, and they consenting, he fulfilled 
his promise. He was afterwards a respectable inhabitant 
of Groton, holding many offices of honor and trust, in 
town and church, and represented the town in General 
Court. 

Gershom, son of the Rev. Mr. Hobart, whom Mather 
mentions as having been rescued from captivity, is said to 
have been carried to the eastward. The first information 
his friends received of him, was in May following his 
captivity, " at a fort a day's journey above Norridgwog, 
and his master's name was Nassacumbewit," the chief 
captain of the place. Both his master and mistress were 
kind to him, and afterwards granted his ransom. 



PETITION AND ANSWER. 95 

Mather farther says, that in June, 1697, one man was 
killed at Groton, and another with two children carried 
into captivity. 

After the calamity of July 27, 1694, it appears that the 
inhabitants of Groton petitioned the General Court for 
relief and assistance, and thereupon the following order 
passed. 

" Upon reading the petition of the inhabitants of 
Groton, setting forth their great distress and impoverish- 
ment, by reason of the desolations made upon them by 
the enemy, praying to be eased and abated of their pro- 
portion of the last public tax assessment, amounting to 
the sum of fifty pounds. 

"Voted, That the said town be abated one half of the 
aforesaid sum of fifty pounds, and that Mr. Treasurer do 
suspend the calling in the other half until the fifteenth 
day of December next. The assessors forthwith to appor- 
tion the same upon their inhabitants, and to commit the 
lists thereof to the constables, that so they may be col- 
lecting. 

" October 22, 1694. Past in the affirmative by the 
House of Representatives, and sent up to his Excellency 
and Council for consent. 

Nehemiah Jewett, Speaker. 

" Voted a concurrence in council, die praedict. 

IsA. Addington, Sec'y'" 

From 1697, to 1702, the inhabitants of New England 
had a respite from savage warfare. But upon the acces- 
sion of Q,ueen Anne to the throne of Great Britain, a war 
with France ensued, and of course their colonies in 
America were involved in the general contest between 
the two nations. In 1704, the frontier towns in Massachu- 
setts were again exposed to tomahawks, scalping knives, 
fire and torture. 



96 QUEEN ANNe's war. 

The following extracts are from Penhallow's " Wars of 
New England." 

''August, 1704. Some afterwards fell on Lancaster and 
Groton, where they did some spoil, but not what they 
expected, for that these were seasonably strengthened." 

" Captains Prescott, Bulkley, and Willard, with their 
companies, were so intent upon pursuing the enemy, that 
they put them all to flight, and yet a little while after 
they fell on Groton and Nashua, where they killed 
Lieutenant Wyler [Wilder ?] and several more. It was 
not then known how many of the enemy were slain, it 
being customary among them to carry off their dead. 
However, it was afterwards affirmed that they lost six- 
teen, besides several that were wounded." 

"July 1706. Several strokes were afterwards made 
on Chelmsford, Sudbury and Groton, where three sol- 
diers, as they were going to public worship, were waylaid 
by a small party, who killed two and made the other a 
prisoner. 

"July 21, 1706. John Myrick, Nathaniel Healy, and 
Ebenezer Leger, of Newton, were killed by the Indians 
at Groton." 

Besides these instances of alarm, attack and suffering 
from a savage foe, others are known to have occurred, of 
which there is more or less authentic evidence. One, of 
which the tradition is undoubtedly nearly correct, is that 
of two lads, John Tarbell and Zachariah Tarbell, 
brothers, and sons of Thomas Tarbell, who were taken 
and carried to Canada. The story runs thus. One eve- 
ning, a little after sunsetting, the Indians came suddenly 
upon the inmates of a garrisoned house, which stood 
where the Rev. Mr. Sanderson's house now stands, or 
near that spot. They all escaped and got safely into the 
garrison, except these boys, who being on a cherry tree, 
had not sufficient time to descend and save themselves 
from captivity. The precise time of this event is not 



SHATTUCKS AND SHEPLES KILLED. 97 

known, but it is said Zachariah was so young, that he 
entirely lost his native language, and the records of 
Groton show, that John was born July 6, 1695, and 
Zachariah January 25, 1700. So it was probably be- 
tween 1704 and 1708. Some years after, they both came 
to Groton on a visit, but having become accustomed to 
savage life, no persuasion prevailed on them to return 
and live with their friends and relatives. The present 
inhabitants of that name are their collateral kindred. 
Their descendants are still among the Indians in Canada, 

Another well attested fact is, that John Shattuck, and 
his son John, a young man about twenty years of age, 
were killed by the Indians when returning from their 
field, May 8, 1709. 

At another time the Indians attacked and burnt the 
house of a Mr. Sheple, killed him and his family, except 
his son John, whom they carried into captivity, where he 
remained about four years. During his residence with 
the savages, he became so well acquainted with their 
language and customs, that he could in after life deal and 
traffic with them to better advantage to himself than 
others could, who were not so well acquainted with 
them.'' 

During the time of Queen Anne's wai-, the town 
records are very scanty ; and no allusion is made in them 
to the distresses and sufferings from the enemy except the 
following, viz. 

"Groton, May 8, 1706. At a town meeting legally 
warned, they did by vote declare, they would and do de- 
sire that Thomas Chamberlain's mill may be upheld by a 
soldier, or soldiers, for the good of the town, by a peti- 
tion to the Court or authority." 



* It is matter of tradition, that " John Sheple's foot weighed just a pound," 
in allusion to his putting his foot in one scale of the balance, when weighing 
the Indians' furs and skins. 

13 



98 DESIGNS OF ABANDONING THE TOWN. 

By Other documents, however, it appears, that the town 
came near being deserted by the iuliabitants, and agahi 
abandoned to the enemy. The following are copies of 
documents in the ofilce of the Secretary of the Common- 
wealth. 

"To his Excellency the Governor, at Roxbury, (in her 
Majesty's service.) 

''On a lecture day, Groton, July 9, 1707. May it 
please your Excellency, I have read your Excellency's 
order to the inhabitants, and the law against deserting 
the frontiers. I could do it no sooner, for several of the 
inhabitants were gone to Plainfield, and returned yester- 
day, only two stayed behind. One of those that designed 
to remove, is the bearer, and a selectman, and lives on 
the outside the town. I thought good to send him, who 
can acquaint your Excellency who is removed, and who 
is meditating the same. 

" Capt. Bulkley, and half his men, are gone to Lancas- 
ter, and the other half here, and do expect a release, they 
being men of considerable husbandry, the most of them. 
All the people, that will work in companies, have guards 
to cover them, to their content. If your Excellency 
please, I should be very glad of a release. I am 
" Your Excellency's most humble servant, 

JosiAH Parker." 

" Groton, July 9, 1707. 
" May it please your Excellency. — According to your 
Excellency's commands, we have sent an account of 
those, that are either actually removed, or are meditating 
of it. Our people are reduced to that degree, that they 
find themselves unable to subsist any longer — would pray 
your Excellency either to grant liberty for their remove, 
or that they may be reduced here entirely to garrison of 
the town militia for the preserving the frontiers. We 



NAMES OF THOSE GOING AND GONE. 



99 



thankfully acknowledge your Excellency's great care of 
us hitherto, and would pray the continuance of your 
regards, without which we are an undone people. 
We take leave to subscribe, (may it please your Excel- 
lency,) 

" Your Excellency's most obedient servants, 
John Farnsworth, ^ 
Jonathan Boyden, > Selectmen. 
Joseph Lakin, ) 

Joseph Lakin, Town Clerk." 



" John Stone, 
Jonathan Pa?e, 
Nathaniel Woods, 
Daniel Lawrence, 
John Shattuck, 
Nathaniel Parker, 
Benjamin Lakin, 
Jonathan Boyden, 
John Hutchins, 
Zachariah Lawrence, 
Edmund Chamberlain, 
John Hall, 



Samuel Shattuck, 
Zerubbabel Kemp, 
Zachariah Sawtell, 
John Gilson, 
Abraham Lakin, 
Josiah Lakin, 
Joseph Lakin, 
William Lakin, 
William Shattuck, 
John Farnsworth. 
Of the persons that are a con- 
sidering of going." 



" Joseph Perham, 
Samuel Davis, 
Daniel Cady, 
John Cady, 
Samuel Farnsworth, 
Joseph Boyden, 



Josiah Whitney, 
Cornelius Whitney, 
Joseph Lawrence. 
Ebenezer Nutting. 
Of persons gone." 



Joseph Lakin, 
John Farnsworth, 
Jonathan Boyden, 



Selectmen. 



Joseph Lakin, Town Clerk for Groton. 



After the treaty of Utrecht, in 1713, there was a cessa- 
tion of hostilities, and the settlements in Massachusetts 
were extended a little further into the wilderness. Those 
towns which had during the former wars been frontiers, 
being no longer exposed to sudden incursions of the 
enemy, became more populous. 



100 lovell's war. 

But by the instigation of a Jesuit priest, of the name of 
Ralle, residing with the Indians at Norridgewock, in 
1722, the "three years' or Lovell's war" commenced, 
and the customary mode of falhng suddenly upon the 
settlements, killing and carrying captive to Canada, was 
pursued by the enemy. In the summer of 1723, one 
man was killed at Groton. Massachusetts resolved to re- 
taliate upon the Indians in their own mode of warfare, 
attack them at their residence, in Norridgewock, and put 
an end to the machinations of Ralle. Two hundred and 
eight men were put under the command of Captains 
Harman and Moulton, who proceeded with this force up 
the Kennebec river, came suddenly upon the village, 
killed Ralle and many of the Indians, some supposed 
about eighty, and burnt their habitations. 

The governments of Massachuselts and New Hamp- 
shire about this time offered a bounty of one hundred 
pounds ^ for every Indian's scalp, which should be taken 
and exhibited to the proper authorities. This inhuman 
expedient induced adventurers to make excursions into 
the wilderness to seek for gain, as well as renown. Vol- 
unteer companies were formed, who scoured the country 
in search of Indians, so that the war altogether resembled 
the hunting of ravenous beasts. Among those who 
engaged in tliis dangerous and difficult species of warfare, 
Capt. John Lovell, or Lovewell, of Dunstable, and his 
company of volunteers from Billerica, Concord, Groton, 
Haverhill, Dunstable and Woburn, eminently distinguished 
themselves. As six of this devoted band were inhabitants 
of Groton, one of whom immortalized his name by killing 
Paugus, the chief of the Pequawket tribe, the oft-told 
story of " Lovell's Fight " must not be omitted in an 
account of the wars of Groton. 

Capt. Lovell made three several excursions into the 
enemies' country. In the first, he left the settlements in 

^ Tlie currency at this time being two and a lialf for one in sterling. 



FIRST AND SECOND EXPEDITIONS. 101 

December, 1724, with a company of thirty men. Pro- 
ceeding northward of Lake Winnipisiogee, in New Hamp- 
shire, they found two Indians in a wigwam, one of whom 
they killed, the other, a small lad, they brought in alive. 
On exhibiting the scalp and captive at Boston, they re- 
ceived not only the stipulated bounty, but a handsome 
gratuity. Thus encouraged, the company being increased 
to the number of seventy, went out on a second expedi- 
tion, in February, 1725. Passing by the wigwam, they 
saw the body of the Indian killed two months before. 
Their provisions becoming short, thirty of their number 
were selected by lot and sent home. Tlie remainder, 
prosecuting the expedition still further, at length came 
upon the track of the game they were hunting for. Fol- 
lowing the trail till near evening, and coming to a height 
of land, they discovered a smoke ahead, which proceeded 
from the encampment of the Indians. They made a halt, 
and returned into a valley and encamped. Lovell and one 
of his men went and reconnoitred the Indians' camp. 
About midnight, the whole company went forward to the 
slaughter, having first muzzled their dogs to prevent an 
alarm. The Indians were ten in number. They were 
asleep, covered with blankets. The mode of attack was 
in sections, of five men in each, in as quick succession as 
possible. Lovell and a friendly Indian were in the first 
section, and before a gun was fired, this Indian removed 
a blanket with the muzzle of his gun, in order to find 
which way their heads lay, and make their immediate 
death more sure. Seven were killed as they lay, and two 
more as they attempted to rise. The tenth fled to a pond ^ 
near by, where he was overtaken by the dogs, which were 
let loose, and held fast till killed. They were all then 
scalped and their bodies thrown through a hole cut in the 
ice, into the pond. These Indians were found to be well 
supplied with new guns, ammunition, and a number of 

" This pond is situated in Wakefield, N. H., bearing the name of Lovell. 



102 THIRD EXPEDITION. 

spare blankets, moccasins, snow-shoes, SiC, whence it was 
supposed they were direct from Canada, and on their way 
to attack some frontier settlement, and that these imple- 
ments were for the accommodation of such prisoners as 
they might capture. If this supposition were true, it 
would seem to afford some justification for Lovell and his 
men in the manner of their slaughter. 

With the scalps of these ten Indians, stretched on hoops 
and elevated on poles, this daring company made a tri- 
umphal entry into the town of Dover, New Hampshire, 
and thence proceeded to Boston, where they received the 
bounty of four hundred pounds sterling, equal to seven- 
teen hundred and seventy-seven dollars. 

Flushed with the success of these two expeditions, 
especially the last related, Lovell determined on a third, 
intending to proceed to the villages of Pequawket, on the 
head waters of Saco river, which were the occasional res- 
idence of Indians. Pie accordingly marched with his 
company, consisting of forty-six men, officers, surgeon and 
chaplain included, in April, 1725. They had not pro- 
ceeded far, when two soldiers, becoming lame, returned. 
Having arrived at the head of Great Ossipee Pond, another 
man falling sick, they made a halt and built a fort, 
wherein they left the sick man, the surgeon, and a part 
of their provisions, with a guard of eight men. The com- 
pany, thus reduced to thirty-four, proceeded towards 
Pequawket, till they came within a few miles of the vil- 
lages. They here heard, or fancied they heard, Indians 
about their camp in the night, and had good reason to 
suppose they were more numerous than themselves. In 
these circumstances, Lovell consulted his men, and offered, 
if they would request it, to lead them back, without seeing 
the object of their expedition. They answered, " We 
will not return and be called cowards." 

Early in the morning of the memorable eighth of May, 
while the company were attending prayers, the report of 



THE FIGHT. 103 

a gun was heard, and an Indian discovered on a point of 
land on the opposite side of an adjacent pond. Supposing 
this Indian might be a decoy '' to lead them into an 
ambush, Lovell ordered his men to lay down their packs, 
that they might be ready for action on any emergency. 
Taking a circuit round the pond they met the Indian, 
fired at, but missed him. He returned the fire from two 
fowling pieces, and wounded Lovell himself and one of 
his men with small shot. Ensign Wyman fired, and 
killed him. Having taken his scalp, they returned to the 
spot where they had deposited their packs. During their 
absence, Paugus, the far-famed chief of Pequawket, with 
his warriors, whose numbers are said by some to have 
been forty-one, others say eighty, and some thought there 
were more, had found their packs, and finding by their 
number that Lovell's force was less than his, he removed 
them and lay in ambush. When Lovell and his men had 
arrived at the spot and were looking about for their packs, 
the ambush suddenly rose and rushed upon them, with 
their accustomed hideous yells. Lovell ordered his men 
to fire and reload with swan shot, as the enemy were 
within a few guns' length of them. Lovell was killed by 
the first shot of the enemy, and eight of his men soon 
shared the same fate. Lieut. Farwell, and two others, 
were wounded. Ensign Wyman assumed the command, 
and, perceiving that the Indians were endeavoring to sur- 
round them, ordered a retreat to the pond ; where, with a 
ledge of rocks projecting into the water on the one hand, 
and a brook, not fordable, on the other, they took their 
stand, placing themselves behind trees, for a protection 
against the bullets of the enemy. During the day the 
Indians endeavored in vain to persuade or compel them 
to surrender themselves prisoners. To this they would 



'From evidence afterwards obtained, it is probable that this Indian was 
hunting and fishing, and that his shot was at some ducks. 



104 PAUGUS KILLED BY CHAMBERLAIN. 

not consent ; victory or death being their choice. Some 
time in the day, the gun of John Chamberlain of Groton 
becoming foul, by continued firing, he undertook to wash 
and cleanse it at the pond. While in the act, he spied 
Paugus, whom he personally knew, performing the same 
process upon his gun, at a small distance. A challenge 
was immediately given and accepted, each confiding in 
his own dexterity, and predicting the speedy fall of his 
antagonist. Chamberlain trusting to the priming of his 
gun by a thump on the ground, had time to take de- 
liberate aim, while Paugus was priming from his horn. 
Chamberlain's ball reached Paugus's heart just as he was 
in the act of firing. His ball passed over Chamberlain's 
head. 

After this event, there was a short respite. The In- 
dians withdrew. Ensign Wyman and Chamberlain crept 
unperceived after them, and found them formed in a circle 
around one in the centre, whom they Avere qualifying, it 
was supposed, for a chief instead of the deceased Paugus. 
Wyman fired and killed their intended chief Then both 
hastened back to their fellows at the pond. Soon after 
this, the Indians renewed the combat, having, as was 
supposed, received a reinforcement. As night approached, 
however, they again withdrew, and left this courageous but 
forlorn little band to consider their melancholy situation, 
and deliberate upon what measures they should pursue, to 
save their lives. Upon examination, nine were found to 
be unhurt, eleven wounded, but not mortally, and three 
mortally wounded. Lieut. Robbins, whose thigh was 
broken, and whom it was impossible for them to carry 
ofi", requested to have his gun, (some say two guns,) 
loaded and left by his side, saying that if he should live 
till morning, when the Indians should come to scalp 
him, he would kill one more. As guns were heard in 
the morning, in that direction, no doubt he fulfilled his 
promise. 



RETURN OF THE MEN. 105 

All, who were able, now ** withdrew from this mem- 
orable spot, and directed their course to the fort, where 
the guard, surgeon and provisions had been left, expect- 
ing there to find what they so much needed, food, and 
dressing of their wounds. In this, however, they were 
sadly disappointed. They found the fort abandoned. 
Some provisions, however, are by some accounts said to 
have been left in it. The cause of this sad disappoint- 
ment was this. At the commencement of the combat, in 
the morning, one of the men, whose name is not found 
in the roll of the company, and is intentionally and suc- 
cessfully concealed from the present generation, made his 
escape, hastened to this fort, and reported that Lovell and 
all his men were killed, which he had undoubtedly good 
reason to believe. Disappointed in the relief they here 
expected, and fearing the Indians might pursue and de- 
stroy them all, they separated, and arrived at the settle- 
ments, some sooner and some later, as their strength 
enabled them. Lieut. Farwell, Jonathan Frye, and Elias 
Barron, perished on the way. With them the journal of 
the expedition was lost. 

A party from New Hampshire were ordered to go to 
the place and bury the dead, but by some mistake they 
did not find the spot. Col. Tyng, of Dunstable, then, 
with a company, went out and found twelve dead bodies, 
buried them, and carved their names upon the trees. He 
also, at a little distance, found three Indian graves, which 
he opened, and in one of them found the body of Paugus, 
He also traced blood upon the ground to a great distance 
from the scene of action.^ 



* Belknap says, " After the rising of the moon." But the inoon was at the 
first quarter, and set about 1 o'clock, A. M. 

' This account of " Lovell's fight," is taken principally from printed 
sources; but soiue of the incidents are fiom the lips of the wife of Josiah 
Johnson, one of the men. This woman was thirteen years old, when tlie 

14 



106 



NAMES OF THE MEN. 



The three years', or Lovewell's war, closed in the win- 
ter or spring of 1726. From this time there was a general 

battle was fought, lived in Woburn, where Johnson belonged, afterwards 
married him, and they had a number of children. In the latter part of her 
life she lived in my father's family, often told the story, and always told it 
alike, agreeing with the printed accounts in general, and adding some par- 
ticulars. 

The ibllowing list of the men, is an exact copy of one made out by Eleazer 
Davis, of Concord, after he came home. 

«' Jn Account of the Mens Names and Place of Abode, that icas in the Fight 
at Piggwacket, on the Sth day of "May, 1725. 



" Capt. John Love well, 
Lieut. Josiah Farwell, 
Lieut. Jonathan Robbins, 
Ensign John Harwood, 
Sarg. Noah Johnson, 
Robert Usher. 
Samuel Whiting. 
7 of Dunstable. 

Eleazer Davis, 
Josiah Davis, 
Josiah Jones, 
David Melvin, 
Jacob Farrah, 
Joseph Farrah, 
Eleazer Melvin. 
7 of Concord. 

Ensign Seth Wyman, 
Corp. Thomas Richardson, 
Timothy Richardson, 
Ichabod Johnson, 
Josiah Johnson. 
5 of Woburn. 

Chapl. Mr. Jona, Frye, of Andover, 
Saro- Jacob Fullam, of Weston, 
Corp. Edw'd Lingtield,of Nuttield. 

Jonathan Kittridge, 
Solomon Kies. 
2 of Billerica. 

John Jefts, 
Daniel Woods, 
Thomas Woods, 
John Chamberlain, 
Elias Barron, 
Isaac Lakin, 
Joseph Gilson. 
7 of Groton. 

Ebenezer Ayer, 

Abiel Asten.— 2 of Haverhill. 



Men killed on the spot. 

1 Capt. Lovewell, of Dunstable, 

2 Lieut. Robbins, ditto, 

3 Ensign Harwood, ditto, 

4 Robert Usher, ditto, 

5 Jacob Fullam, of Weston, 

6 Jacob Farrah, of Concord, 

7 Josiah Davis, ditto, 

8 Thomas Woods, of Groton, 

9 Daniel Woods, ditto, 

10 John Jefis, ditto, 

1 1 Ichabod Johnson, of Woburn, 

12 Jonathan Kittridge of Billerica. 

Men lost by the way, wounded. 

Lt. Josiah Farwell, of Dunstable, 
Chapl. Mr. Jona. Frye, of Andover, 
Mr. Elias Barron, of Groton. 

JVot icounded. 

1 Ensign Wyman, 

2 Edward Lingfield, 

3 Thomas Ricliardson, 

4 and 5 two Melvins, 

6 Eben Ayer, 

7 Abial Asten, 

8 Joseph Gilson, 

9 Joseph Farrah. 

Wounded men. 

1 John Chamberlain, 

2 Lt. Farwell, 

3 Chapl Mr. Frye, 

4 Sarg. Noah Jolinson, 

5 Timothy Richardson, 

6 Josiah Johnson, 

7 Samuel Whiting, 

8 Elias Barron, 

9 Josiah Jones, 

10 Eleazer Davis, 

11 Isaac Lakin, 

12 Solomon Kies." 



ANECDOTES OF THE FIGHT. 107 

peace till 1744, when hostilities again commenced be- 
tween Eiisland and France, and the frontier towns of 



A grandson of this Eleazer Davis informs me, that his grandfather and 
Mr. PVye were togetlier on their i-eturn, and coming to a hrook, they saw <a 
fish. One of them having a fish hook, they cut strips from their moccasins 
for a line, and succeeded in taking the fish. Having kindled a fire, 
they cooked and ale of it. It refreshed Davis, but proved fital to Mr. Frye. 
This fish hook and line were preserved till the centennial celebration in 
Fryebui-g, in 1825, when they were sent to that place for exhibition. 

Another anecdote from verbal testimony is, (hat one of the wounded men, 
on his return, becoming very weak and discouraged, crept into a hole in the 
ground, made by the blowing down of a tiee, and laid himself down to die. 
Not long after, he heard a noise, which he supposed the ap])roach of an 
Indian ; he made a great efibrt and sprung from his intended death-bed, de- 
termined to resist to the last. But, instead of an Indian, he found one of 
their dogs had followed his footsteps to the place ; and being rejoiced to find 
so good a friend for a companion, he resumed his march and came home. 

May 16, 1725, only eight days after the fight, Thomas Symes, V. D. M., 
preached a sermon at Bradford, entitled, " Tlie brave LovciccU and several of 
his company lamented." This sermon, with an account of the expedition, 
attested by three of the men, who escaped, viz., Seth Wyman, of Woburn, 
Ebenezer Ayer, and Abial Asten, of Haverhill, was printed, and probably 
contains the most correct account to be found. This account stales, that the 
offer of Capt. Lovell to lead home his men, was after the firing of the gun by 
the Indian, and the answer of the men is stated in these words. 

" We came out to meet the enemy ; we have all along prayed God that 
we might find them ; and we had lather trust Providence with our lives, yea, 
die for our country, than to try to return without seeing them, if we may, 
and be called cowards for our pains." 

This account also states, that eleven of the men came in at Dunstable, 
May 13th, at night, and four more the loth. Eleazer Davis came in at Ber- 
wick, and Josiah Davis at Saco. It further relates that Solomon Kies, hav- 
ing received three wounds, crept to Ensign Wyman, in time of the battle, 
told him he was a dead man, but would try to get away, so that the Indians 
might not get his scalp. Finding a canoe at the pond, he rolled himself into 
it, and the wind carrying him several miles towards the fort, he gained 
strength and arrived at it. 

It is said,t]iat children and relatives of Indians, who had beenkilled by the 
English, were accustomed to avenge their deaths upon those who killed 
them, if known. j\lany stories are told of single Indians, coming in times 
of peace, and seeking for tliose who slew a father or friend, and I have 
heard of their coming more than once to avenge the death of Paugus upon 
Chamberlain. But no accurate and well attested statement of such a visit to 
Groton, by any descendant of Paugus, can, I apprehend, at this distance of 



lOS YOUWG PAUGUS AND CHAMBERLAIN. 

New England were once more in jeopardy from savage 
incursions. But the settlements, at this period, had ex- 



time,, be made out. The following tale, from the Atlantic Souvenir, is 
founded upon one of those visits, and after making due allowances for embel- 
lishments, anacronisms, and false localities, may be substantially true. It 
certainly does not differ more from stories still related here, than novelists' 
accounts usually do from realities. 

" The old French war was over. The banners of England had long 
streamed above (he towers of Quebec. The Indians had left the lakes and 
woods of Now Hampshue, for the broader waters, and deeper forests, of 
Canada and the west. Time had tamed the iron sinews of the rangers, 
untamable by any other enemy, or they were sleeping " each in his narrow 
cell forever laid." "NVhei'e the red man once roamed after the moose, 
prowled upon the scout, or lighted the council fire, now stood the infant 
village, and the peaceful neighborhood. The water-fall, at whose roaring 
foot the Indian once darted his rude spear into the salmon, or hooked the 
trout upon his curved hit of bone, now turned the wheel of the clumsy grist- 
mill, whither the jogging farmer brought his "rye and Indian," over moss 
and hill, and through bush and swamp, in safety. The congregations, as they 
gathered together " at meeting," no longer brought their charged guns to 
the house of worship, or feared that the prayers of their minister would be in- 
terrupted by the war-whoop. Of Lovell's men, scarcely a survivoi- remained 
of the few that lived through the desperate fight, at Pequawket. Cham- 
berlain was still alive. He was an old grey-headed man. He had long 
given over hunting, and peace had changed his war spear into an imple- 
ment of husbandry ; of all his hunting and fighting years, nothing remained 
to him but the gun that killed Paugus at Lovell's pond, and the bullet 
pouch and yellow powder horn, covered over with Indian devices, which 
were the spoil of the savage in that terrible encounter. These he had pre- 
served with an old man's care. His cottage, from which went up the soli- 
tary smoke that caught the eye of Loveil and his men, now was the centre 
of a considerable hamlet. A wild stream ran past it, and a little way below 
it, tumbled down a fall, upon which stood one of the rude saw-mills of that 
day, and old Chamberlain, once the swift hunter, and the strong and proud 
warrior, was now its humble ovvn«r, and more humble tender. He had 
survived his wife and his children. Few of his neighbors ventured to be 
familiar with him, on account of the stern peculiarity of his character; and 
he passed his days in solitude, except such association as men had with him 
in his humble vocation. 

In the year 1777,* towards the close of one of those fair days in autumn, 

which make up the " Indian summer," a number of the villagers of P , 

had gathered into their one-story tavern, to talk over their little politics, as 
they were wont, when they were surprised and startled by the entrance of 

* ll coiiH not liavc boon so hitc, t)y many years. 



YOUNG PAUGUS AND CHAMBERLAIN. 109 

tended further northward and westward ; Groton was no 
longer a frontier town, and it is not supposed to have suf- 

a young Indian among them. An Indian, at that time, had got to be a rarity 

in P . He was tall, over six feet, and finely formed, after the fashion of 

the forest. He had a belt of wampum around his waist, and from it hung 
his tomahawk. A long gun was in his hand, and he stood in moccasins, with 
the grace and dignity of the son of a chief. He placed his gun behind the 
door, and silently took his seat by himself. A little before sunset the 
farmers left the inn and returned to their homes. One old hunter remained 
with the landlord and the young savage. The hunter eyed the Indian with 
keen attention, — his suspicions were awakened at the sight of this warrior, 
armed, so remote from the residence of the nearest tribe, and in a time of 
peace. He was acquainted with the Indians in the old wars, and his sus- 
picions were heightened and contirmed, when he heard the young chief ask 
the landlord, in a low and indifterent tone, if ' one Chamberlain dwelt in 
the village.' The landlord pointed out to him the mill, where the old man 
labored, and the cottage where he dwelt. The Indian took his gun and 
went out. 

«' ' Some of the blood of old Paugus,' said the hunter, ' and, I'll venture 
my life, come to avenge the death of that chief upon Chamberlain. I'll give 
the old man warning.' He hastily stepped out, and following a winding 
path, that led down to the saw-mill, where the old man was still at his toils^ 
he reached the mill, and told Chamberlain, that young Paugus, from 
Canada, had come loith his rifle and tomahawk to avenge upon him the death 
of that chief. Chamberlain's cheek turned ashy pale, and he sternly replied, 
• tell young Paugus I have the gun that slew his father, and he had far 
better return to his forest than molest me in my old age ; ' as he spoke, he 
pointed to the long gun as it hung upon prongs of the moose horn, driven^ 
into the saw-mill plate, and near it was suspended the bullet-pouch and pow' 
der-horn of Pequawket. The hunter had given his warning and retired. 
The sun was setting to the south of Moosehillock. Chamberlain took down- 
his gun, — tried his flint, — charged it, — took the pouch and horn and flung 
them upon his side, — hung up near the saw-gate the old garment he had wor» 
at work through the day, — hoisted the gate of the mill and set it rapidly 
agoing, looked keenly around him, in every direction, and retired to ar> 
eminence a few rods distant, crowned with a clump of thick bushes, and 
crouched down to await the approach of his mysterious enemy. He was 
not, however, mysterious to Chamberlain. The old man remembered every 
trait in the Indian character, and calculated with great accuracy as to the 
time and manner of Paugus's advance. Just as it was growing too dusky to 
distinguish a human form, except towards the west, the old man descried 
him creeping cautiously from a bunch of bushes, eight or ten rods above the 
mill, by the torrent, with his cocked rifle before him, and his hand upon the 
lock. The young savage heard the noise of the saw-frame, and could discern 
it in rapid motion, and shrunk back into the thicket. He came out again, a 



110 YOUNG PAUGUS'S DEATH. 

fered to any considerable extent, during this war. One 
man, however, by the name of Jacob Ames, is said to 
have been killed, about this time, in the following 
manner. 

An Indian had been seen, for several days, lurking 
about the town, it was conjectured, upon some ill design. 



little distance from where he went in, and, with the wary motions of the 
ambush, reconnoitered the mill. Chamberlain marked him all the while, as 
the catamount eyes the fox. Young Pauguscame out of the bushes the third 
lime, and in a new quarter, and was stealthily advancing, when something 
seemed to catch his eye in the form of his father's slayer — he stopped 
short — brought his rifle to his eye, and, with quick aim, fired. The report 
rung sharp and low upon the still air, as if the gun itself were mutHed, or 
afraid to speak above its breath. Young Paugus crept out upon a mill log, 
that extended over the rapid, and stretching himself up to his full height, as 
if to ascertain, without advancing, the success of his shot. The old man 
could spare him no longer. He saw the well-remembered form of the old 
Pequawket chief, as the young savage stood against the sky of the west, 
which was still red with the rays of the sunken sun. He levelled the fatal 
gun — it blazed — young Paugus leaped into the air six feet, as the ball 
whistled through his heart — and his lifeless body fell far down into the rapid, 
that foamed below him, while his vengeful spirit fled and mingled with that 
sterner one, which parted long before at Lovewell's pond, in 

' The land where their fathers had gone.' 

Chamberlain returned slowly and gloomily to his cottage. 

" The next morning a bullet hole through the centre of the old garment 
he had hung at the saw-frame, admonished him, that the aim, as well as the 
vengeance of old Paugus, had descended to his sons; and as he mused upon 
those he had slain, and reflected, that although he was old, he still n>ight 
have again to lift his gun against the blood of Paugus, or himself fall by 
their avenging hand, he wished bitterly, that some other bullet than his own 
had slain that renowned chief, and that they had never met to quench their 
battle thirst, and scour out their foul guns, upon the shore of Lovewell's 
pond."* 

* The pond in Wakefield, N. H., where the ten Indians were killed, in Lovewell's second 
expedition, bears this name, and not the one in Frycburg, Me., where the battle was fought. 
When, or where, Chamberlain died, I have not been able to ascertain ; but he was 
probably dead before 1777. He had two children, born in Groton before the fight ; the first, 
in 1713. If ever young Paugus sought to avenge his father's death, and it seems pretty 
evident, from tradition, that he did, it was probably at Groton, where the traditions place it, 
and the old dam, near school house No. 9, is said to have been the dam of Chamberlain's 
mill ; and, further, a deep hole in the brook, between the lands of Deacon Thomas Hutchins 
and Merick Lewis, is called " Paugus's hole," wherein it is said, Chamberlain sunk his 
body, after he had killed him. 



JACOB AMES KILLED. Ill 

Mr. Ames, who lived on the intervale, on the west side 
of Nashua river, now owned by John Boynton, Esq., 
went into his pasture to catch his horse. Discovering 
the Indian, he ran for his house ; the Indian pursued and 
shot him as he entered his gate. The dead body pre- 
vented the gate's closing, as it would otherwise have done 
of itself, and the Indian pressed in to enter the house, 
where Ames had a son and daughter. The son seized 
his gun, and shot at him, as he entered the gate. The 
ball, striking the latch of the door, split, and one part of it 
wounded the Indian, but not severely. As the son at- 
tempted to close the door against the enemy, after the 
shot, the Indian thrust his foot in, and prevented. The 
son called to his sister to bring his father's gun from 
the bedside, and at the same time striking the Indian's 
foot with the breach of his gun, compelled him to with- 
draw it, and closed the door. While the Indian was in 
the act of reloading his gun, the young man found means 
to shoot through a crevice and killed him. Two men, at 
work about a mile distant in a mill, Ezra and Benjamin 
Farns worth, hearing the reports of the guns, and suspect- 
ing the cause thereof, were soon at the place, and found 
the bodies of Ames and the Indian both weltering in their 
blood. This is the last man killed by an Indian within 
the bounds of Groton. 

The subject of this chapter affords abundant matter for 
contemplation and reflection. 

A race of human beings, ignorant and miserable, less 
than three centuries ago, numerous, but wholly destitute 
of the knowledge and skill to employ air, water, fire, and 
mechanics, advantageously, roamed over these lands al- 
most wholly uncultivated. Now view the contrast. 
Where the red man, with bow, arrows and tomahawk, 
pursued his game through wastes, wilds and woods, now 
cultivated fields, orchards and gardens, with rich pro- 



112 CIRCUMSTANCES CONTRASTED. 

ducts, abound. The waters, from which he with rude 
spears, pots and weirs drew his daily food, and of which 
he made no use save to swim his frail canoe, now move 
millions of wheels, spindles and looms, to fabricate the 
necessaries, conveniences and luxuries of civilized life. 
Where once stood the uncouth wigwams of the wild-man, 
now arise richly garnished houses, in villages, towns and 
cities. 

But we cannot forbear to inquire, had our Puritan 
forefathers the same right to dispossess the aborigines of 
this country, and utterly annihilate the race, that the 
Israelites had to drive out the inhabitants of Canaan, and 
take possession of the promised land ? They seem so to 
have believed, and so to have conducted. And more 
completely have the Massachusetts, the Narragansetts, the 
Pequots, the Paw tuckets, and Wampanoags been extir- 
minated, than were the Amorites, the Canaanites, the 
Hivites, the Hittites, and the Jebusites of old. 

How different, also, are our anxieties and cares, our 
pleasures and pains, our labors and amusements, from 
those of our predecessors, during the periods of Indian 
wars ! We can pursue our customary employments in 
our fields, workshops, or factory mills, in security ; they 
must have an armed guard, when abroad, and weapons by 
their firesides and bedsides at home. We, in our well- 
lighted and well warmed parlors, can cheerfully and happi- 
ly spend our long winter evenings with friends, wives, and 
children, in the improvement of our minds, or in innocent 
amusements. They, in their rude and cold cabins, must 
sit silent and gloomy, in dark corners, fearing to light up 
and warm their apartments, lest the savages should spy 
them through the cracks and crevices. We, when our 
day's toil, or evening occupations are finished, can re- 
pose unmolested and quiet in our own bed chambers. 
They, at night-fall, forsaking their dwellings, and leaving 
them to the mercy of a merciless enemy, sought safety 



CIRCUMSTANCES CONTRASTEB. 113 

by their numbers, collected into garrisoned houses. We, 
without exerting our own strength, or that of dumb 
beasts, can visit our distant friends, go to our markets or 
populous cities, and return with almost the rapidity of 
light ; they, if they journeyed, were compelled to exhaust 
their own powers and those of their beasts, through rough 
and rugged paths, occupying days and weeks in going 
and returning. We have enough, and abound in the 
comforts, conveniences and luxuries of life ; they had a 
scanty supply of the bare necessaries. 



15 



CHAPTER VII. 

The Revolutionary War — Incipient causes — Instruction to the Repre- 
sentative — Resolves about industry, economy, manufactures and 
foreign superfluities — Regulations about funerals — Non-importa- 
tion — Resolves on rights, privileges, grievances, &c. — Letter to 
Committee of Correspondence — Duty on tea — Continental Con- 
gress Association — Signing covenant, and posting names — Minute 
men march — Recruits, supplies, &c., during the war — Shays's re- 
bellion. 

The sentiments and opinions of the people, in relation 
to the measures pursued by the government of Great 
Britain towards their provinces in America, which were 
the incipient causes of the Revolutionary war, and the 
separation of the provinces from their parent country, and 
becoming an independent nation, the part taken by them 
in resisting those measures, and uniting their energies to 
gain their independence, are prominent topics in the his- 
tory of every village in our country. Individuals uniting 
in small circles of neighbors and districts, these circles 
combining in larger associations of towns, and these again 
into conventions of counties and provinces, and the union 
and combined action of the whole, produce those revolu- 
tions, in governments and nations, which constitute a 
great portion of general history. The smallest matters, 
then, which took place at the commencement of, and 
even during, that struggle, which has had consequences 
of the greatest moment, not only to the United States, 
but throughout Christendom and the whole world, are 



INSTRUCTION TO THE REPRESENTATIVE. 115 

interesting to us, the descendants of the actors therein, 
and must not be omitted in the present volume. 

At a town meeting holden in Groton, Oct. 14, 1765, 
almost ten years before hostilities commenced, the inhabi- 
tants voted to instruct their Representative in the General 
Court, and chose a committee to frame proper instruc- 
tions, who soon after reported the following, which, says 
the record, " being read, paragraph by paragraph, was 
unanimously accepted and ordered to be recorded." 

" To Abel Lawrence, Esq., Representative for the 
town of Groton, and districts of Shirley and Pepperell. 

" Sir, — We, the freeholders and other inhabitants of 
the town of Groton, being legally assembled and met at 
the public meeting-house in said town, to consider what 
measures are needful to be taken at this alarming crisis, 
when the American subjects of Great Britain are univer- 
sally complaining of unconstitutional innovations, think 
proper to communicate our united sentiments and instruc- 
tions to you thereupon. 

*' We are greatly alarmed, and filled with the utmost 
concern to find, that such measures have been taken by 
the British ministry, and acts of Parliament made, which 
press hard upon the invaluable rights and liberties of the 
British American subjects, and more especially at the act 
called the " Stamp Act,^' by which we apprehend a very 
unconstitutional, unequal and insupportable tax is to be 
laid on the Colonies. And, if this should be carried into 
execution, we expect it will become a further grievance 
to us, as it will afford a precedent for the Parliament, in 
future time, to tax us without our consent, in all such 
ways and measures as they shall judge meet. We think 
it, therefore, our indispensable duty and undoubted privi- 
lege, in the most open but respectful terms, to declare 
our greatest dissatisfaction with this law. And we think 
it is incumbent on yon, Sir, to use your best endeavors 



116 MEASURES TO PROMOTE INDUSTRY. 

in the General Assembly, to have the just and unalienable 
rights of this province asserted, vindicated and left upon 
the public records ; and by no means to join in any pub- 
lic measures for countenancing and assisting in the execu- 
tion of the aforesaid law ; so that posterity may never 
have reason to charge the present time with the guilt of 
tamely giving away the unalienable rights and privileges 
of the people of this province. 

" And as at this time almost every avenue of our 
trade is obstructed, we doubt not but that you will take 
particular care, that there be no unusual and unnecessary 
grants made to those, that serve the government, and that 
the monies drawn from individuals of this province be 
expended with the best economy, and not upon any pre- 
tence whatever be applied for any other purposes, but 
what are evidently intended in the act for supplying the 
province treasury." 

Dr. Oliver Prescott, who was chairman of the commit- 
tee that reported these instructions, undoubtedly penned 
them. 

The selectmen having received from the selectmen of 
Boston a letter relating to the state of the country, called 
a town meeting, to be holden Dec. 21, 1767, for the pur- 
pose of devising measures to promote industry, economy 
and manufactures, and discouraging the use of foreign 
superfluities. 

Having met, and deliberated upon the business of the 
meeting, the inhabitants unanimously passed the follow- 
ing resolution, viz. 

" Whereas, this province labors under a heavy debt, 
incurred in the late war, and the inhabitants by this 
means must be for some time subject to very heavy and 
burdensome taxes ; and as idleness and the excessive use 
of foreign superfluities appear to be the chief cause of the 



RESOLUTION. 117 

present distressed state of the province, — we, therefore, 
the inhabitants of this town, being sensible, that it is the 
duty of every well-wisher to his country, at all times, but 
more especially at this melancholy prospect, to endeavor 
by some method to extricate the inhabitants out of these 
embarrassed circumstances ; and being of opinion, that 
industry, economy, and application to our own manufac- 
tures, are absolutely necessary for the future well-being 
of the community, do promise and engage to and with 
each other, that we will, in our several stations and char- 
acters, from this time forward, discountenance and dis- 
courage idleness and the unnecessary use of all foreign 
manufactures and superfluities of what nature or denomi- 
nation soever. And, whereas, wool, flax and hemp are 
the natural produce of this province, we will, so far as we 
can, encourage the raising and manufacturing those arti- 
ticles, and also all other articles of manufactures which 
are or may be fabricated in North America, and more es- 
pecially in this province. We also further agree to 
strictly adhere to the late regulations respecting fune- 
rals.^ 

" Voted, unanimously, That Col. James Prescott, the 
representative for the town of Groton, be desired to re- 
turn a copy of these votes and resolutions to the gentle- 
men, the selectmen of Boston, with the thanks of this 
town, for the prudential measures they have been pursu- 
ing for lessening foreign importations, and encouraging 
frugality and our own manufactures, and for the laudable 
example the town of Boston have set the country." 



' The regulations respecting funerals, were probably the same or similar 
to the " Association agreed upon by the Grand American Continental Con- 
gress," assembled at Philadelphia, in 1774, which were, " On the death of 
any relation or friend, none of us, or any of our families, will go into any 
further mourning dress, than a black crape or ribbon on the arm or hat, for 
gentlemen, and black ribbon and necklace for ladies, and we will discounte- 
nance the giving of gloves and scarfs at funerals." 



118 NON-IMPORTATION AGREEMENT. 

In the warrant for March meeting, 1770, an article was 
inserted to consider how to prevent the importation of 
Enghsh goods ; upon which the town chose a committee, 
who reported, — 

*' Tliat we, the inhabitants of the town of Groton, do 
most heartily approve of the non-importation agreement, of 
the merchants ; and that we will not knowingly, directly 
or indirectly, purchase any goods of any person, that 
imports the same, or trades with an importer, contrary to 
the agreement of the merchants. We also appoint a com- 
mittee to inspect the buyers and sellers of goods within 
the said town, and to caution them against counteracting 
the intent and meaning of the non-importation agreement 
of this people." 

In January, 1773, the selectmen called a town meeting, 
by their warrant, " to inquire into and consider the mat- 
ters of grievance, which the people of North America, and 
the inhabitants of this province in particular, labor un- 
der, relating to the violation and infringement of their 
rights and liberties ; and to agree upon some salutary 
and constitutional method for redress ; and to give 
their representative such instructions as the town shall 
think fit." 

The inhabitants met, considered the subject, heard read 
a letter from the committee of correspondence, of the 
town of Boston, and chose a committee of eleven of the 
principal inhabitants, who, after an adjournment of a fort- 
night, reported as follows, viz. 

" The subscribers, a committee, chosen by the town of 
Groton to consider what is best for the town to do, and 
report a draft of votes and resolves, relative to the rights 
of this province and the violation of the same, beg leave 
to report the following resolves and votes, viz. 

" 1. Resolved, That it is the opinion of this town, that 
the people of this province are entitled by the royal char- 



RESOLUTION. 119 

ter to all the rights, liberties and privileges of native 
Britons. 

" 2. Resolved, That the inhabitants of this town, as a 
part of the province of the Massachusetts Bay, have a right 
to keep and enjoy their private interest and proper posses- 
sions, and that no power on earth can justly take any 
part of them without the consent of the owners, or their 
representatives. Therefore, the raising of a revenue, by 
an act of the British Parliament, from the colonies, with- 
out their consent, and applying of it contrary to their 
approbation, — the extension of the jurisdiction of the 
courts of vice admiralty, — the affixing of stipends or sala- 
ries to the offices of the judges of our superior court, 
whereby they are made entirely independent of any grant 
from our Great and General Court, — and the act entitled, 
an act for the better preserving his majesty's dock-yards, 
magazines, ships, ammunition, stores, &.C., are, in our 
opinion, intolerable grievances, and contrary to the essen- 
tial principles of our constitution, and ought not to be 
submitted to any longer, than to obtain a redress in a con- 
stitutional way. 

" 3. Resolved, That every part of the British dominions 
have a right to petition, or join in petitioning and remon- 
strating, to the king of Great Britain, that all acts of Par- 
liament which are unconstitutional and grievous to them, 
may be repealed, and their grievances redressed, and that 
we will, in a manly, united manner, use all legal and con- 
stitutional methods to recover and preserve all the rights 
of America, sacred as our lives. 

" Then the town voted, that the representative be 
instructed, and he accordingly is instructed, to use his 
utmost endeavors, in every constitutional way, in the 
General Court, to obtain a speedy redress of all our griev- 
ances, that so Great Britain and the colonies may be re- 
stored to their former unanimity ; and more particularly, 
that he make inquiry mto the former support of the hon- 



120 JUDGE&' SALARIES. 

orable judges of the superior court, and if it be not 
adequate to the dignity of their station, and trouble of 
their office, that he use his influence, that an honorable 
support be appointed them, upon such a lasting founda- 
tion, as the General Court in their great wisdom shall 
think fit, and that he in no wise consent to give up 
any of our rights, which we derive from nature or 
compact. 

" Voted, That the foregoing resolves, and these votes, be 
recorded in the town book, and a copy of the same trans- 
mitted to the committee of correspondence and commu- 
nication, of the town of Boston, with a letter to express 
our gratitude to the town, for their vigilance and activity 
for the common safety. 

Oliver Prescott, 

JOSIAH SaWTELL, 

Nath'l Parker, 

Joseph Sheple, . ^ ... „ 

T ri T ^Committee." 

JoNA. Clark Lewis, ' 

Isaac Farnsworth, 

Henry Farwell, 

Amos Lawrence, 

Three of the committee chosen, viz., Jonas Cutler, 
John Bulkley, and Col. James Prescott, did not sign the 
report, but for what reason does not appear. Col. Pres- 
cott was representative, and it seems proper he should not 
sign it. Cutler was a tory in time of the war. 

" To the Committee of Correspondence, within the 
town of Boston. 

" Gentlemen, — I am directed to transmit to you a copy 
of the proceedings of the town of Groton, being legally 
warned and assembled January 25, 1773, and observe to 
you, that we view ourselves, in connection with the other 
towns of this province, in the common cause of natural 
and constitutional liberty ; and with the utmost gratitude 



DUTY ON TEA. 1'21 

acknowledge the vigilance and activity of the town of 
Boston for the general safety ; and that we are willing to 
correspond with the committees of other towns, that are 
and may be chosen within this province, so often as it 
may be thought requisite. 

" I am, gentlemen, with the greatest res]^ct, your most 
obedient, humble servant, 

Oliver Prescott, Town Clerk." 

The next subject, which agitated the whole commu- 
nity, was the memorable act laying a duty on tea. 
The inhabitants of Groton were called together for the 
special and only purpose of consulting and acting upon 
that which, most of all others, led to commencing hostili- 
ties between the colonies and Great Britain. The fol- 
lowing is the record of proceedings. 

"At a meeting of the freeholders and other inhabitants 
of the town of Groton, assembled at the public meeting- 
house, in said town, on Thursday, the IGth December, 
1773, to consider what is proper for this town to do, 
relative to the large quantities of tea, belonging to the 
honorable East India Company, arrived and expected to 
arrive in this province, subject to an American duty. 

" The committee of correspondence for said town laid 
before them a letter, which had been agreed upon by the 
committees of several towns, to be sent to all the towns 
in this province, in order to know their minds at this 
critical juncture, and having read the same, as also the 
votes and proceedings of the town of Boston at their late 
meetings, — the town came into the following votes and 
resolves unanimously. 

" That we highly approve of the conduct of the town 

of Boston in their late town meetings, and the several 

resolves they came into relative to the teas sent by the 

East India Company to America ; and as we esteem the 

16 



122 DUTY ON TEA. 

late act of parliament for the benefit of said India Com- 
pany an intolerable grievance, and as a very subtile plan 
of the ministry to enforce and enslave the Americans, pre- 
ferring the public happiness to our own private advantage, 
we will readily afford all the assistance in our power to the 
town of Boston, and all other of our oppressed American 
brethren, and heartily unite with them in every constitu- 
tional method to oppose this and every other scheme, that 
shall appear to us to be subversive of American rights and 
liberties, and dishonorary to his Majesty's crown and dig- 
nity, at the risk of our lives and substance. 

"Voted, That our most cordial thanks be presented to 
the inhabitants of the town of Boston, for their wise, pru- 
dent and spirited conduct at this alarming crisis, and for 
their repeated vigilance and unwearied endeavors to re- 
cover and preserve the rights and liberties of America. 

" Voted unanimously. That the inhabitants of this town 
will not buy, sell, or make use of any tea, while subject 
to an American duty. 

" Voted, That the committee of correspondence for this 
town be desired to wait upon the several shopkeepers and 
traders within the town, and desire them not to buy, sell 
or any way dispose of any tea while subject to an Ameri- 
can duty. 

Oliver Prescott, "^ 

JosiAH Sawtell, I 

James Prescott, S'Committee." 

Amos Lawrence, | 

Isaac Farnsworth, J 

July IS, 1774, the town chose a committee to make 
report, what measures the town ought to pursue in rela- 
tion to the act of Parliament, commonly called the ^' Bos- 
ton port bill,^^ but their report does not appear on record. 

At a town meeting, held by adjournment, January 3, 
1775, the following was adopted, viz. 



AMERICAN CONGRESS ASSOCIATION. 123 

" Whereas, it is expressly recommended by the Conti- 
nental Congress, to the provincial conventions and to the 
committees in the respective colonies, to establish such 
further regulations, as they may think proper, for carrying 
into execution their association, — and, whereas, the Pro- 
vincial Congress did, on the 5th December last, resolve 
and recommend as their opinion for the effectual carrying 
into execution the American Congress Association, that 
from and after the 10th of October next, there shall not 
be sold or purchased, from Great Britain or Ireland, any 
molasses, syrups, paneles, coffee or pimento from the 
British plantations, or from Dominico ; wines from Ma- 
deira or the Western Islands, and foreign indigo, either 
before or after the first of December instant, unless the 
acts and parts of acts of parliament, enumerated in a para- 
graph of the American Association, subsequent to the 
fourteenth article, shall then be repealed. That the seve- 
ral towns and districts do forthwith assemble and choose 
committees of inspection for the purpose aforesaid, and 
that the towns do vigorously assist and support their 
committees in discharging the duties of their office, &c. 
Therefore, voted and chose, Dr. Oliver Prescott, Capt, 
Josiah Sawtell, Dea. Isaac Farnsworth, Mr. Moses Child, 
Dea. James Stone, Col. James Prescott, Lieut. Elisha 
Rockwood, Lieut. Isaac Woods, Joseph Allen, Jonas 
Stone, John Tarbell, Capt. John Sawtell, Jonathan 
Lawrence, Capt. Amos Lawrence, and Capt. Henry Far- 
well, a committee of inspection, whose business it shall 
be to see that the American Congress Association and the 
Provincial Congress resolv^es, and recommendations rela- 
tive thereto, be well and faithfully observed and complied 
with, and that this town will not fail of lending all neces- 
ary assistance to the said committee in doing their duty." 

At the March meeting, 1775, the committee reported 
to the town, " That some of the inhabitants had refused 



124 REFUSERS TO SIGN. 

to sign the covenant agreed upon by the town in conse- 
quence of the recommendation of Congress, and that 
some others had not had the offer of signing." " There- 
upon the town voted, that all those persons, that have 
not had the offer of signing said covenant, have the lib- 
erty to do it within eight days from this time, and that all 
those who have already had the offer, and refused to sign, 
shall not be allowed to sign said covenant without first 
obtaining leave from the town. 

" Voted, That the names of those persons that refuse 
to sign the Association paper, shall be posted in the pub- 
lic houses in this town by the committee of correspon- 
dence, and their names entered in the town book by the 
town clerk." 

The record goes on stating, that the committee pre- 
sented the covenant to sundry persons,, for their signa- 
tures, who refused to sign ; but the committee delayed 
to post their names, according to the above vote, till the 
inhabitants grew uneasy about the matter; whereupon 
the committee set up the following notice, and the same 
was recorded by the town clerk, viz. 

"Incompliance with said vote, we hereby notify the 
public, that said Association paper was offered to the 
Rev. Samuel Dana, Joseph Sheple, Jonas Cutler and 
Joseph Chase, who did refuse to sign the same ; and it is 
expected, that all those who have signed said Associa- 
tion will remember their covenant." 

(Signed by the committee.) 

"Groton, April 12, 1775." 

Seven days after the last above date, hostilities com- 
menced between the provincials and the British troops, at 
Lexington and Concord. 

The alarm was given at Groton at an early hour, and 
the minute men, so called, were soon collected, pre- 



MINUTE MEN AND SOLDIERS. 125 

paratory to march towards the scene of the first blood- 
shed in the war, wliich resulted in our independence. 

It now came to the test, whether the patriotic votes 
and resolves, heretofore so unanimously passed, would be 
followed up in meeting the disciplined forces of Great 
Britain, well armed and equipped, by cultivators of the 
ground, with such fowling pieces and muskets as they 
happened to hold. The decision was in the affirmative. 
Two companies of minute men, with officers complete, 
numbering in all one hundred and one men, marched on 
the ever memorable 19th of April, 1775, too late to take a 
part in the actions of that day, but to be at head quarters 
in readiness for future operations. The commanders of 
these companies, were Capt. Henry Far well, and Capt. 
Asa Lawrence. 

In the several resolves of the General Court, for enlist- 
ment of soldiers for the continental army, their clothing, 
provisions, &c., Groton stands the seventh town in the 
county of Middlesex. Cambridge, Concord, Marlborough, 
Reading, Sudbury and Woburn standing a little higher 
in the apportionments. Their quota of men, September 
22, 1777, was 38. Shirts, shoes and stockings, June 21, 
1779, 57. Beef, June 22, 1781, 8,845 lbs. The whole 
number of men, raised by GrotoUj engaged in some part 
of the war, with their bounties paid by the town, ap- 
pears by the following list made out by the selectmen, 
in compliance with a resolve of the General Court, of July 
11, 1783. 

" Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 
" A return of the number of men raised by the town 
of Groton, in the county of Middlesex, as soldiers to 
serve in, or recruit or reinforce, the armies of the United 
States, and the bounties paid them for their respective 
services, agreeable to the requisition of the General Court, 
as by their resolve, dated July 11, 1783. 



126 BOUNTIES TO SOLDIERS. 

No. of Bounties paid Total, 

men. each man. 

L. s. d. L 1. d. 

Eiivht months at Cambridge, in 1775, 93 5 465 

Sii weeks at ditto, 1775, 24 10 24 

Two months at do., Feb. and March, 1776, 22 16 9 29 8 6 

la consequence of a resolve, June 24, 1776, 37 6 4 10 230 15 10 

Do. do. Sept. 10, 1776, 20 3 11 4 71 6 8 

Do. do. Nov. 30, 1776, 22 3 11 4 78 4 

Do. do Dec. 1, 1776, 27 8 6 216 13 6 

Four months at Dorchester, 177G, 11 6 3 6 

Three months at Boston, 1776, 9 4 1 16 

Six months at Hull, 1776, 1 2 13 6 2 13 6 

By order of Council, Aprin2, 1777, 10 6 3 

By resolve, April 30, 1777, 10 17 6 8 173 6 8 

Do. June 14, 1777, 1 6 6 

Six mos. at Providence, from June 24, 1777, 17 12 10 4 

By resolve, Aug. 9, 1777, 12 5 8 4 65 4 

Do. Aug. 9, 1777, 24 16 19 4 

Do. Sept. 22, 1777, 38 8 15 4 

Do Feb. 7, 1778, 22 6 6 12 

Do. April IS, 1778, 6 20 7 6 122 5 

Do. April 20, 1778, 16 32 10 520 

Nine months at Rhode Island, 177S, 7 10 3 10 

Six months at do , 177S, 6 6 116 

Six months at Cambridge, 1778, 1 12 12 

Months 9 1-2 at Providence, 15 18 13 10 

Six weeks, do. 12 8 4 16 

at Rhode Island, April 6,1779, 4 2 16 11 4 

Pursuant to a resolve, April 27, 1779, 4 9 116 

Two mos. at Providence, from June 8, 1779, 8 1 15 13 

Nine mos. con. army, from June 9, 1779, 10 24 240 

Agreeable to a resolve, Sept. 17, 1779, 2 1 15 3 10 

Do. do. Oct. 9, 1779, 14 5 70 

To guard convention troops, Cambridge, 4 14 4 16 

Five months at Providence, 2 13 10 27 

Pursuant to a resolve, June 22, 1780, 26 13 10 351 

The sum in hard money, by the scale (of depreciation), £2,804 15 0. 

" Middlesex, ss., Groton, January 31, 1784. 
" We have examined the town books, and the militia 
officers' books, together with the best vouchers that we 
could obtain, and the foregoing is a true account, accord- 
ing to the best of our knowledge. 

Oliver Prescott, ^Selectmen 
Abel Bancroft, > of 

Amos Lawrence, Jr., ) Groton. 

'< February 2, 1784. Exhibited on oath before Israel 
Hobart, Esq." 

The period from the close of the Revolutionary war, 
to the adoption of the Federal constitution, was a time 



CRITICAL STATE OF THE COUNTRY. 127 

of intense anxiety, and the transactions of that period, of 
momentous consequence to these United States. Independ- 
ence had been achieved, but unless a form of government 
could be devised and adopted, which would unite the 
several colonies in one national compact, independence 
might have proved a curse, rather than a blessing to those 
who had obtained it. 

The condition of the people was unfavorable for uniting 
upon any constitution, which should be proposed for their 
future government, so diverse were their several interests 
and opinions on political subjects. Most of the colonies 
had formed State constitutions, for their own particular 
government, and they were each disinclined to give up 
the powers necessary to form a Federal union. The 
soldiers, having left the camp and mingled with the peo- 
ple, had an unfavorable influence upon the industry, 
economy and morality of the people ; the enormous debts, 
both public and private, contracted through the severe 
struggle of a seven years' war, and the almost total want 
of a currency, wherewith to negotiate and discharge debts, 
were circumstances which might well fill all hearts with 
dismay. It is said the merchants, at this period, made 
large and unwarrantable importations of foreign merchan- 
dize, and not having an equivalent to export, the little 
specie they had in circulation was drained from the 
country, and increased the distresses, which were before 
almost insupportable. Burdens and grievances, whether 
real or imaginary, are increased by sympathy ; and the 
people, collecting in smaller or larger assemblies, commu- 
nicating with each other upon them, greatly enhance their 
own miseries. 

The people of Massachusetts had adopted a constitu- 
tion, formed by her ablest, wisest and most patriotic 
statesmen ; a constitution which has now stood three- 
fourths of a century without any material alterations, in 
none with its fundamental principles, and under which its 



128 INSURRECTIONARY MOVEMENTS. 

citizens have enjoyed a state of almost uninterrupted hap- 
piness, and arrived at a state of unexampled prosperity. 
Yet the people, in less than six years after they had 
adopted it, became dissatisfied with it, commenced an 
insurrection, proceeded to open rebellion, and, but for the 
energy, patriotism and courage of those intrusted with 
the administration of the government, and a majority of 
the people, this constitution, which had not then been tried 
long enough to prove its excellency, might have been 
destroyed, and that at a time, when the patriots of all the 
colonies were devising a form of general government for 
all the colonies. Had so important a State as Massachu- 
setts, at that crisis, fallen into a state of anarchy, the 
present existing Union would probably have been wholly 
prevented, or at least for a long time delayed. Had 
the insurrectionists of Massachusetts succeeded in their 
schemes, and had their principles extended into the other 
States, of which at one time there seemed to be great 
danger, what would now have been the condition of our 
commerce, agriculture, manufactures, steamboats and rail- 
roads, and all the arts of civilized life ? But our limits 
will not admit of expatiating further upon this rebellion, 
except so far as Groton was particularly engaged in it. 

Unfortunately there were a majority of the legal voters 
and taxpayers in the town, who took part in resisting the 
due administration of government, when the inhabitants 
of various towns in this and other counties, in the Com- 
monwealth, were assembling in smaller and larger con- 
ventions, deploring the condition of the country, and 
making out catalogues of their grievances, as they termed 
them, the malcontents of Groton petitioned the selectmen 
of the town, to call a meeting of the inhabitants immedi- 
ately, and dictated the subjects to be acted upon at tlte 
meeting. The selectmen, who did not approve the 
measures proposed, complied with the request, and issued 
the following warrant. 



PETITION FOR TOWN MEETING. 129 

" Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Middlesex, ss. 

" To Joseph Moors, Esq., one of the constables in the 
town of Groton, in said county, greeting. 

" You are hereby required to notify and warn the free- 
holders and other inhabitants of the said town, qualified by 
law to vote in town affairs, to assemble and meet at the 
public meeting-house in said town, on Tuesday next, 
nine o'clock before noon, in consequence of the follow- 
ing request, signed by sixty-eight persons, and to act on 
the several articles therein contained, which request is as 
followeth, viz. 

" To the Gentlemen, Selectmen of the town of Groton. 
We, the lawful and legal voters of said town, humbly 
request, that a town meeting may be called as soon as 
possible, and insert the following articles in your war- 
rant, viz. 

*' 1. To choose a moderator to regulate said meet- 
ing. 

" 2. To choose a man suitable to take a copy of the 
votes passed in said meeting. 

" 3. To choose a committee to correspond with the 
other committees of any towns in this Commonwealth, 
relative to our public grievances, and that said committee 
draw up a petition, to lay before the General Court, for 
a redress of the same. 

" 4. To see if the town will give said committee in- 
structions relative to their proceedings. 

" 5. To see if the town will vote that the General 
Court be removed out of Boston. 

" 6. To see if the town will vote not to have any in- 
ferior court. 

" 7. To see if the town will vote not to have more 
than one attorney in a county to draw writs, and that he 
is paid the same as the state's attorney. 

" 8. To see if the town will vote that there be a stop 
17 



130 ARTICLES TO BE ACTED UPON. 

put to all law suits of a civil nature, until there is a 
greater circulation of money, than there is at present. 

" 9. To see if the town will vote, that there be a bank 
of paper money made, sufficient to pay our foreign debts, 
and to choose a committee to receive the produce of our 
land, at a reasonable price, in exchange for said money, 
and export the same to foreign parts, for money and bills 
of exchange, or other articles equal to the same, that will 
discharge the said debts, and also another bank to dis- 
charge our domestic debts. 

" 10. To see if the town will vote, that the said paper 
money be received in all payments equal to gold and 
silver, and he that refuses to take the same shall lose his 
debt. 

"11. To see if the town will vote, that all bonds and 
notes, or other debts, be discharged by them that they 
were first contracted with, or given to, or their heirs, Sic, 
and that said creditors shall make discharge of said debts, 
if a lawful tender be made. 

" 12. To see if the town will vote, that there shall be 
no distress made by any constable or sheriff, for rates or 
other debts, until there is a greater circulation of money 
than at present. 

*' 13. To see if the town will vote, that the first holders 
of public securities shall draw their full sum and interest, 
and all those that have purchased securities shall give 
in, on oath, what they gave for the same, and shall 
receive no more of the public treasury, including in- 
terest. 

" 14. To see if the town will vote to open the ports to 
all nations, that a free trade may commence, to the good 
of the community at large. 

" 15. To see if the town will vote to choose a com- 
mittee of safety, to see that there is no more infringe- 
ments made on our injured rights and privileges, and act 
anything relative to the above articles, or any other 



NAMES OF PETITIONERS. 



131 



things, which may be necessaiy for the good of the public 
at large. 



Benjamin Page, 
Ephraim Ward, 
Stephen Munroe, 
Jabez Holden, 
Ebenezer Tarbell, 
Jolin Moors, 
Amos Stone, 
John Park, 

Ebenezer Farnsworth, 
Jonas Stone, 
Jonathan Stone, 
Asa Stone, 
Thomas Hubbard, 
Jonatha» Lawrence, 
Robert Ames, 
Amos Ames, 
Oliver Shed, 
John Fisk, 
Asahel Wyman, 
John Sawtell, 
Jonathan Fiske, 
Amos Lawrence, 
Enoch Cook, 
Pelatiah Russell, 
Thomas Farwell, 
Richard Sawtell, 
Samuel Kemp, jr. 
Ephraim Kemp, 
Amos Adams, 
Caleb Blood, 
Benjamin Tarbell, 
Samuel Hemenway, 
Zachariah Fitch, 
James Sheple, 
Joseph Shed, 



Oliver Fletcher, 
Josiah Hobart, 
Oliver Parker, 
Royal Blood, 
Phineas Parker, 
Jonathan Worcester, 
Ephraim Nutting, 
James Woods, 
Nathaniel Sartell, 
Jacob Patch, 
Samuel Chamberlain, 
David Woods, 
John Woods, 
Benjamin Hazen, 
Jason Williams, 
Daniel Williams, 
Jacob Williams, 
Shattuck Blood, 
David Blodget, 
James Bennett, 
Isaac Lakin, 
Samuel Hartwell, 

his 
John (X) Lawrence, 

mark, 
John Gragg, 
Job Shattuck, 
Job Shattuck, jr., 
Benjamin Lawrence, 
Samuel Gragg, 
Jacob L. Parker, 
Jacob Gragg, 
Oliver Blood, 
Levi Kemp, 
Timothy Woods." 



Warrant dated June 24th, and meeting held June 27. 



This document plainly shows how utterly incapable a 
majority of the people were of judging rightly of the 
causes of their sufferings, and of the best remedies for re- 
lief; how crude and impracticable their notions were on 
financial affiairs, and due administration of justice. And 
how could they be otherwise ? Those, who had spent 
their time in the army, had not been in a school to 



132 INJUDICIOUS MEASURES. 

learn the duties of jurists and statesmen ; and those, who 
had been on their farms, and in their shops, had no better 
opportunity to become wise legislators. The issues from 
the press had taught, that sovereignty belonged to the 
people, and that it was their right to exercise it ; but they 
had not taught them how to use it for their greatest 
benefit and happiness. The inflammatory writings of the 
time, roused the people to resist sovereign power ; but 
having framed and adopted a constitution of their own, 
and chosen officers to administer it, and make laws in 
conformity to it, they did not reflect or consider that the 
sovereignty was thereby delegated, and that tfeey had no 
right to resume it in a summary manner. They rather 
considered the rulers as their servants, whose services and 
directions they might accept or reject at pleasure ; and 
that the constitution and laws might be annulled and set 
aside, whenever they should deem it expedient. Thus 
ignorant of the true causes of their distress, and attribut- 
ing to government what the previous war and their pres- 
ent indolent habits and extravagant notions of liberty had 
unavoidably brought upon them, they probably proceeded 
conscientiously in resisting the laws, and opposing their 
due execution, unapprehensive of the disastrous conse- 
quences, which would follow, if their resistance and 
revolutionary measures should be successful. They 
made no discrimination between resisting the government 
which they had chosen for themselves, and which by 
peaceable means they could change, and the one in which 
they had no choice. What a striking contrast between 
the language of these rebels, and that of the patriots at 
the commencement of the Revolutionary war ! 

The first act of violence, committed by the insurgents, 
was forcibly preventing the courts of justice from hold- 
ing their sessions, and transacting their regular business. 
Job Shattuck, of Groton, who had been a soldier in the 
French war, and a commissioned officer in the Revolu- 



COURTS AT CONCORD PREVENTED. 133 

tionary war, and who was otherwise qualified to be con- 
spicuous in such a cause, became the leader and com- 
mander of the insurgent forces, in Middlesex county. 
The historian, who wrote an account of this rebellion, 
the next year after it happened, and who had ample 
means of knowing the facts in relation to the transactions 
at Concord, when the court of common pleas and gene- 
ral sessions of the peace were there by law to be holden, 
says, " No sooner was it known by the insurgents, who 
were contemptible in point of strength and character, that 
government would not act with force, than they appeared 
in triumph on the spot." " They took possession of the 
court house, and paraded with great insolence before the 
court who had assembled at a small distance. One of their 
leaders ^ was exceedingly outrageous, and once threatened 
to put all persons to the sword, who would not join them 
in two hours. Such was the profanity of his language, 
that it at first staggered the less hardened party from Wor- 
cester, but a union of forces afterwards took place. Job 
Shattuck, their principal leader, sent a written message, 
that it was the sense of the people that the court should 
not sit. He afterwards affected to permit the court of 
sessions to sit, on condition of adjourning to a day pre- 
scribed ; but the issue was, that the rioters grew still 
more outrageous, and no court could sit at all." When 
the court was about to be holden at Cambridge, the Gov- 
ernor issued orders for the militia of Middlesex to be in 
readiness to march to that place. " But," says the histo- 
rian, " an influential character in Middlesex undertook to 
make an agreement with the leaders of that county, that 
no forces should appear on either side, and wrote a letter 
to the Governor on this subject to their satisfaction." 
But the insurgents did not abide by their agreement ; and 
they took measures to have a large and imposing force 

* Capt. Nathan Smith of Shirley. 



134 PARKER AND PAGE ARRESTED. 

collected from Worcester and Bristol counties, to join 
those of Middlesex, at Cambridge. 

The historian proceeds : " Pursuant to this new scheme, 
a small party of Middlesex insurgents, headed by Oliver 
Parker, [of Groton,] (Job Shattuck, their former captain, 
coming in a more secret manner, in order to avoid the 
appearance of breaking his agreement,) marched into the 
town of Concord. Upon their arrival, Shattuck pro- 
ceeded in the night to Weston, to get intelligence of the 
Worcester forces, but though they had begun their march, 
they did not appear, and from this want of co-operation 
the whole plan fell through. 

" The leaders of the insurrectionists, having thus re- 
jected the pardon which was held up to them by the 
General Court," — '' warrants were issued for apprehending 
the head men of the insurgents, in Middlesex, and for 
imprisoning them without bail or mainprise. The execu- 
tion of these warrants was committed to the sheriff of 
Middlesex and others, to whose aid a party of horse, who 
had voluntarily associated for the support of government, 
under Colonel Benjamin Hitchborn, was ordered from 
Boston, early in the morning of the 29th of November. 
These were joined by a party from Groton, under the 
command of Col. Henry Woods, and the whole, consist- 
ing of more than one hundred, proceeded immediately 
for Concord. On their arrival there, the Groton horse, as 
being best acquainted with the country, and least liable 
to excite an alarm from an unfamiliar appearance to the 
inhabitants, were dispatched to secure the subjects of the 
warrant. These returned at night with two prisoners, 
Oliver Parker and Benjamin Page ; but Shattuck, the 
principal leader, had taken an alarm and escaped. Under 
this disappointment, at midnight, in the midst of a violent 
snow-storm, the whole party were ordered on to Shat- 
tuck's house, in Groton, where they did not arrive till late 
in the morning. A search was immediately commenced, 



SHATTUCK TAKEN. 135 

and a judicious pursuit discovered him to a party of a few 
persons, led by Colonel Woods himself. Shattuck obsti- 
nately resisted, and was not taken till he had received 
several wounds, and which he returned without much 
injury." 

Thus three of the leaders of the rebels being secured, 
the adherents to the party in Groton, it is believed, did no 
more treasonable acts, but soon after went before a magis- 
trate, delivered up their arms, took the oath of allegiance, 
and became peaceable subjects of government. No less 
than seventy names of persons belonging to Groton, are 
found, who did so. It is not necessary, in relating the 
affairs of a single country township, to follow the narra- 
tive of the Shays rebellion farther j though it might 
teach the present and future generations a salutary lesson, 
to avoid treasonable resistance of government, and to aid 
in a firm support of law and order. The issue is well 
known. The strong arm of government, energetically 
and judiciously exercised, in a few months overcame all 
opposition, with very little bloodshed to either of the 
belligerents ; and the penitence of the prisoners, though 
convicted of the highest in the catalogue of crimes, pro- 
cured them a pardon from the executive. 

There are those of the present day, who do not duly 
distinguish between that liberty which is consistent with 
good government, and liberty degenerated to licentious- 
ness, who would probably have joined the insurgents, had 
they lived at that time, and who now half justify their 
proceedings, or at least go so far as to say, that much 
good accrued to the Commonwealth by them. True it 
is, that from every evil some good may arise ; but men 
are not to be envied, whose achievements are good, only 
that they may be set up as a beacon to warn others 
against falling into the same follies, errors and wickedness. 

The historian of the affair closes his account with the 
following pertinent remark. 



136 INSURRECTION SUPPRESSED. 

" Thus was a dangerous internal war finally suppressed, 
by the spirited use of constitutional power, without the 
shedding of blood by the hand of the civil magistrate ; a 
circumstance which it is the duty of every citizen to as- 
cribe to its real cause, the lenity of government and not 
its weakness ; a circumstance, too, that must attach every 
man to a constitution, which, from a happy principle of 
mediocrity, governs its subjects without oppression, and 
reclaims them without severity." 



CHAPTER VIII. 

Meeting-bouses or churches — First meeting-house — Its situation — 
Cost and materials — Second house — Committee of twelve to agree 
about its location — Their report — Its site — Sales of land to raise 
money to finisji it — Third house — Its site — John Ames gives a 
deed — Enlargement — A bell — VV. Martin's and Jona. Lawrence's 
wills — A new bell — Enlargement of the Common — Votes about 
repairing, or building a new fourth meeting-house — Trouble about 
finishing — Pews — Costs — Regulations — Presbyterian house — 
Union meeting-house — Baptists, &c. 

There have been erected in Groton seven houses, pur- 
posely for places of public worship, exclusive of those in 
Pepperell and Shirley. 

The first record in relation to this subject is the fol- 
lowing vote, passed June 23, 1662. <' Also, that the 
meeting-house shall be set upon the right hand of the 
path, by a small white oak, marked on the south-west 
side with two notches and a blaze." The house, how- 
ever, was not built till 1666. During the time from the 
passing of this vote to the erection of the meeting-house, 
it appears, that the inhabitants met for worship at the 
minister's house. The following vote was passed some- 
time in 1663. " It is agreed by the major part of the 
town, that Mr. Willard shall have their interest in the 
house and lands that was devoted by the town for the 
ministry * * * * provided, they may meet in the house 
on the Lord's day, and upon other occasions of the town 
18 



138 FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

on meetings." A vote also passed, September 23, 1663, 
" That John Nutting shall keep clean the meeting-house 
this year, and for his labor he is to have fourteen shil- 
lings." The meeting-house here mentioned must have 
been the minister's house, as none other was yet built, as 
appears by the following vote. 

" At a town meeting, upon the 21st of the 7th month, 
1665. It was this day agreed upon, that they will have 
a meeting-house forthwith." 

A committee was chosen at the last date to agree with 
the carpenters to carry on the work. 

" At a general town meeting held 5th of 8th m., 1666, 
it was voted by the major part of the town, that the 
meeting-house frame, that is now framed, is to be re- 
moved, and to be set up in a place near the corner of Jo- 
seph Parker's fence." 

A few other votes passed this year, 1666, respecting the 
work of the meeting-house, and the completion of it ap- 
pears by the following. 

"At a general town meeting, held 24th 10th m., 1666, 
it was agreed, and by vote declared, that all the lower 
seats in the new meeting-house, that now is, should be 
divided, six for men, and six for women, and also the 
front seats for the gallery ; the best provision that the town 
can provide both for the minister and also for the people 
to sit upon the next Lord's day come sevennight ; and 
every one to be placed in their places, as they shall con- 
tinue for the future." 

"At a general town meeting, held 31, 10 m., 1666. 
For better proceeding in setting seats for the women, as 
well as for the men, it was agreed and by vote declared, 
that the front gallery on the north side of the meeting- 
house should be divided in the middle, and the men that 
shall be placed there, their wives are to be placed by their 
husbands, as they are below." 

Some notion of the materials of which this meeting- 



MATERIALS AND EXPENSE. 139 

house was composed, its cost and size, may be obtained 
from the following account, among the records of 1666. 

" A true account of all the particular sums of all the 
work done to the meeting-house, frame and other things, 
as nails, hooks, and hinges, and glass, and pulpit, he. 

£ s. d. 

1 In** for thatch, 5 

* It., to John Morse for thatching; and cutting withes, . I 13 

It , for wages for those did attend the thatchers, . . . 5 14 8 

It., carting clay and stones for daubing the wall and underpinning, 3 

It., the daubing of meeting-house walls, . . . . 4 12 6 

It., lathes, and nailing on, ....... 200 

It., 40 lbs. nails, 3 12 3 

It., for nailing on the clapboards, . . . . . 110 8 

It., for getting the sleepers and laying of them, . . . 10 4 

It., for plank 600 and half, 2 18 6 

It., for seasoned boards, 700 and 5 feet, 2 12 10 

It., for laying the lower floor, at 5*. 6d. per 000, . . 18 2 

It., making doors and two pairs of stairs, 10 

It., for laying => 40,382 of boards on the gallery floor, . 2 

It., for shuts for the windows, and making provision ) 10 

for Mr. Willard to preach till we have a pulpit, ) 

It., for making a pulpit, ....... 300 

It., for glass for the windows, 3 5 

It., for 200 of boards, and more nails, and more work done by cart- 
ing and laying seats, &c., 18 

* 50 16 10 

A structure of these materials, and at this expense, does 
not comport well with our notions of a house for public 
worship ; but taking into consideration the scanty means, 
and the small number of inhabitants the town contained 
one hundred and eighty years ago, we may justly suppose, 
that this house was the result of a greater effort of theirs, 
than the building of the present three churches would be 
for the present inhabitants. 

It is matter of much doubt, on what spot this first built 
church stood. Tradition says it stood near the crossing 
of the road leading from school-house No. 5, and the 
Nod road, so called. And in corroboration of this tra- 
dition, it is said, that an aged white oak near this spot was 

' Imprimis. " Item. ^ Uncertain what quantity. 

♦ This is the footing of the account. Probably some error in the copy. 



140 SITE OF FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 

felled a few years since, which had many nails, spikes 
and hooks in its trunk, denoting that it had been a pillar 
for fastening horses. But no good reason can now be 
assigned, why it should have been situated so far to the 
north. The principal men, both in note and number, 
were certainly not in that part of the town. It is well 
known, that James Parker, John Nutting, Thomas Tar- 
bell, William Green, James Fiske, and what is stronger 
evidence, the Rev. Mr. Willard, whose house had been 
the place of public worship for three or four years, were 
all seated along the site of the present principal village. 
Here were their garrisoned houses, four of them at 
least, and the fifth nearly a mile off. The frame, we 
have seen, was removed from the spot where it was first 
voted it should stand. But the precise spots where once 
stood the " small white oak, Avith two notches and a 
blaze," or the " corner of Joseph Parker's fence," will, 
I apprehend, be never again known. This meeting-house 
was burnt by the Indians in 1676, as has been related in 
a former chapter. 

Soon after the resettlement of the town, in the spring 
of 1678, the subject of building a new meeting-house 
was agitated, and, as appears by the following votes, 
caused like strifes and contentions to those on similar 
occasions in later times. 

" At a town meeting in Groton, it was agreed for the 
year ensuing, provided that the town do build a meeting- 
house, upon fifty pounds for this year." This vote passed 
December 11, probably in 1679, and the fifty pounds 
were probably the whole assessment for town charges. 

" At a general town meeting held June 8, 1680. 
It was this day agreed, and by a major part by vote de- 
clared, that the meeting-house shall stand where the other 
meeting-house (stood), or somewhere thereabout." " It 
was also the same day and at the same time voted, 



THE COMMITTEE DETERMINE, 141 

that the meeting-house shall stand somewhere between 
Mr. Hobart's house ^ and the brook by the Captain's." 

At the same meeting, (22d 10 m., 1680), " It was 
agreed upon and by vote declared, that the difference con- 
cerning the meeting-house should be referred into the 
hands of these twelve men, viz. Capt. Parker, Richard 
Blood, Lieut. Lakin, Ensign Lawrence, Sarg. Lakin, 
Sarg. Knap, John Page, Jonas Prescott, John Morse, 
Joshua Whitney, William Green, Jonathan Morse, and in 
case these twelve men cannot agree, they have full power 
to choose a committee to put a final conclusion to issue 
the debate forthwith." 

Two days after their choice the committee reported as 
follows. 

" That they have agreed as followeth. 

" 1. That we do forgive each other wherein we have 
been instrumental of grieving each other in word or deed, 
referring to the difference, and that for the time to come 
we will do what we can to promote and increase love, 
and do nothing to break the peace now made, referring to 
our agreement about the standing and going on to finish 
the meeting-house in the place where it now standeth, 
and endeavor to satisfy (and) silence all our inhabitants. 

" 2. That the persons that drew the timber for the 
meeting-house frame, doing it without order, shall have 
nothing for their work, unless particular men will allow 
them any thing on their own good will. 

" 3. That those that raised the meeting-house shall 
bear their own cost and charge, both for time and pro- 
vision. 

" 4. That the whole town shall go on jointly together 
to finish the meeting-house, with all convenient speed. 



* Mr. Hobart's house stood on the site of the Baptist meeting-house ; and 
Captain Parker's was on the south side of the brook, where Dr. Bancroft 
now Uves, or thereabout. 



142 SECOND MEETING-HOUSE EXPENSE. 

without any regret or reflections one upon another, in the 
place where it now standeth." 

The site of this second meeting-house is well known. 
It stood at the northeast corner of what is now called the 
old common, a few rods northerly of school-house No. 14. 
Within forty years last past, the lines upon which the 
underphming lay were distinctly visible, so that the 
length and breadth of the building could have been accu- 
rately measured. But the soil has since been removed, so 
that no trace remains. 

Among the assessments made in lOSO, are the fol- 
lowing. 

"A rate made for the meeting-house frame, the just 
sum is £32 19 8. 

" A rate made by the selectmen, for 
covering the meeting-house, roof and 
sides, windows, doors, stairs and pulpit, 
and the just sum is £44 2 5." 

At a town meeting, November 14, 1681, the town 
voted to raise money to finish the meeting-house by a 
sale of common lands ; and chose Capt. Parker, Lieut. 
Lakin and Sarg. Knap, a committee to make the sales. 
By an account of the sales recorded in the town book, it 
appears that Capt. Parker purchased a quantity not stated 
for £11 10s. Od. Joseph Parker, three hundred acres for 
£15 00s. Od. Sarg. Lakin, Henry Willard, Jonas Pres- 
cott and Peleg Lawrence, each one hundred acres, at five 
pounds for each hundred, or one shilling per acre, amount- 
ing in the whole to forty-six pounds ten shillings. 

"At a general town meeting upon the 23d 2 m., 1683, 
it was agreed upon and voted, that Mr. Hobart shall have 
liberty to make this pulpit for his ease and comfort, so as 
he do no ways deface the work now done, and will make 
it decent and comely, equivalent to the work underneath, 
upon his own charge." 



THIRD MEETING-HOUSE. 143 

Nothing further is known respecting this second church, 
except, that having stood about thirty-five years, it was 
voted, after the third had been erected, to convert it into 
a school-house, as will be seen in a future chapter. 

The building of a third house for worship began to be 
in contemplation in the beginning of the year 1714. In 
January, the town voted, " that they will build a new 
meeting-house in some convenient time." February 1, 
they voted to build a meeting-house fifty feet long, and 
forty feet wide, and that the place for its standing should 
be determined at March meeting, by the voters, bringing 
in written votes, with their names on the vote. At March 
meeting it was determined, that the meeting-house should 
stand "at Green's," (the site of the present church of the 
first parish) ; seventy men bringing in their votes for 
that place, which must have been nearly or quite unani- 
mous. The other place proposed, was where the second 
house stood. It is not stated how many voted for that 
place. The size was altered by vote to forty by thirty- 
five feet, and it was also voted that the town should " be 
at no charge concerning a bridge over Broad meadow." 

Probably the people who lived in the westerly part of 
the town would have been better accommodated by 
having the house at the site of the old one, than at 
"Green's," and those in favor of the latter place engaged 
to accommodate them with the road across Broad meadow, 
at their individual expense. Several votes passed this, 
and the two succeeding years, for raising money, and 
finishing the meeting-house, by which it appears that it 
was not completed immediately. 

This meeting-house was set upon the land of Mr. John 
Ames, who, on the eighteenth day of January, 1716-17, 
in consideration of a certain pew in the meeting-house, 
voted or granted to him at a town meeting holden Novem- 
ber 5, 1716, and " that there be no farther trouble or con- 
troversy within the said town referring to the land on 



144 HOUSE ENLARGED AND SEATED. 

which the meeting-house now stands, and other good 
considerations, bargained, sold, and conveyed to said town 
of Groton, a certain parcel of land, formerly belonging to 
Mr. Willard, containing about ninety-five poles, bounded 
southerly and southwesterly by highways, and otherwise 
by said Ames's land, (no length of lines being given,) the 
new meeting-house standing on the same." 

It appears, that in ten or eleven years after the erection 
of this house, the population of the town had so increased, 
that the meeting-house was not of sufficient capacity to 
accommodate them. They, therefore, in March, 1727-8, 
voted to enlarge, or make an addition to it, chose a com- 
mittee to consult workmen, and proceed to make the 
addition, and at the same time granted eighty pounds for 
the purpose, and in the course of the next year, eighty 
pounds more. 

October 27, 1729. The committee were empowered, 
in making the addition, to provide for the hanging of a 
bell. 

"August 17, 1730. Voted, That the ground (floor) all 
around the inside of the meeting-house, convenient for 
building of pews, be granted to the highest in pay, except 
polls, they building the same upon their own cost and 
charge." 

" Also, voted, That they will have five men for that 
committee to seat the meeting-house. Chose Justice 
Prescott, Lieut. Boyden, Capt. Sheple, Lieut. Hobart and 
Deacon Longley for that committee. Also, voted, for 
their instructions, that in seating the meeting-house, they 
left it with the committee, they having a particular regeird 
to the three last years' pay." 

" May 21, 1733. Voted, That such persons as desire 
it, have liberty to make glass windows in the meeting- 
house, for the conveniency of their pews, provided they 
maintain them themselves." Other votes passed at sun- 
dry times, giving liberty to individuals to build seats, 



LEGACIES FOR A BELL. 145 

ornament, and improve several parts of the meeting-house 
at their private expense. 

William Martin, of Groton, by his last will and testa- 
ment, dated March 6, 1672, bequeathed to said town, the 
sum of ten pounds, " towards purchasing a meeting-house 
bell for the town's use." On the 27th day of October, 
1729, the town chose Samuel Tarbell and Benjamin 
Prescott, Esq., " a committee fully empowered to inquire 
after, demand and receive, and if need be, sue for the 
money given the town by William Martin's last will and 
testament." Mr. Martin died March 26, 1672. His will 
had been duly approved, and his executor had also died. 
The above committee, under the authority of the town, 
sued Benjamin Lakin, one of the devisees or legatees of 
Martin, who had received his portion of the estate, as 
executor de bonis non, in his own wrong. This writ 
issued November 26, 1731, almost sixty years after the 
decease of the testator, and they recovered the legacy. 

August 25, 1732, the town voted, "That Benjamin 
Prescott, Nathaniel Sawtell and Lieut. William Lawrence, 
be a committee to provide the town with a bell for the 
meeting-house, to the value of one hundred and ten 
pounds, and to draw the money for that use, that was 
given by William Martin and Jonathan Lawrence, de- 
ceased. Jonathan Lawrence's will was dated August 27, 
1725, and it was approved October 29, 1729 ; one hun- 
dred pounds were bequeathed to the town in and by said 
will, " towards the purchasing and procuring a good meet- 
ing-house bell, and the putting it up." 

May 14, 1752, the town " voted, that the selectmen 
take down the meeting-house bell forthwith, and that it 
be sent to Great Britain to be new run, and to know the 
present value thereof; and that William Lawrence, Esq., 
be desired to undertake to get a new bell, the weight 
thereof to be five hundred pounds, and that the name of 
19 



146 COMMON ENLARGED. 

Lieut. Jonathan Lawrence be set thereon." In December 
following, tlie town voted, "■ that the new bell be hung 
when it comes up," and a committee was then chosen to 
report how it should be hung, who reported at the same 
time, that it be " hung in a place built for that purpose 
fifteen feet high and twelve feet broad." But it is not 
probable that it was so hung, inasmuch as the town at 
the same meeting voted to build a new meeting-house, 
and immediately after proceeded in the business. 

At the time of making the addition to the meeting- 
house, as above related, the town, in order to enlarge the 
common, exchanged some lands with the llev. Mr. Trow- 
bridge, who then owned the land formerly owned by 
John Ames, adjoining the common, and on the west side 
of the highway, now owned by Jonathan Loring. The 
lane from the great road down to Broadmeadow was four 
rods wide, between the lands of Mr. Trowbridge on the 
north, and Eleazer Green on the south. The town un- 
dertook to convey two rods in width of the north side 
of this lane, benig abont sixty-four square rods, to Mr. 
Trowbridge, for the same quantity on the north and east 
sides of the common, as bought of John Ames. This 
addition to the common was in the shape of a carpenter's 
square, the longest and widest part being on the north 
side. The highway lately laid out on the northerly side 
of the meeting-house, takes a part of this land, and the 
parish have since purchased the triangular piece easterly 
of the meeting-house. 

The third meeting-house, built as we have seen in 
1714, '15 and '16, with the addition thereto made in 
1730, answered the purpose for a place of public worship, 
without any movement for repairs or building a new one, 
till about the year 1745. Pepperell having been made 
a precinct, and built a meeting-house, parochial affairs 
were transacted by the inhabitants as the first parish ; but 
the town clerk being clerk also of the parish, and the 



VOTES TO REPAIR AND TO BUILD. 147 

records being kept promiscuously in the same book, it is 
difficult in some cases to distinguish them. Those which 
follow, in relation to repairing the old house and building 
a new one, appear to be partly those of the town, and 
partly of the parish. All the difficulties, divisions and 
strifes, commonly attendant on determining whether to 
repair or build anew ; and that determined, where the 
new shall stand, how large it shall be, in what style it 
shall be finished, he, he, seem to have occurred in this 
instance. 

" November 8, 1745. The parish voted to repair the 
meeting-house by clapboarding, shingling, he, to be done 
by the 29th of September next." 

" August, 1752. Voted not to build a new meeting- 
house at present." 

"September 11, 1752. Voted not to clapboard and 
shingle the old meeting-house. 

" Voted to build a new meeting-house with one tier of 
galleries, and in voting for its place, each man to write 
his name upon his vote to prevent further disputes. In 
counting the votes it appeared, that there were seventy-six 
votes for building said house as near where the present 
house now stands as conveniency will admit, and twenty- 
eight for the old place near the burying ground. 

" Voted, That the dimension of said house be sixty-five 
feet in length, and fifty feet in breadth, and twenty-six 
feet posts, and to have a belfry at one end of said house 
to hang the bell on. 

" At the same time, chose a parish committee to provide 
materials, and granted one hundred pounds for carrying 
on the work, and twenty pounds for the expense of 
the bell." 

" At a parish meeting January 8, 1753, voted to add to 
the committee, and not assess the one hundred pounds 
nor the twenty pounds at present." 



148 FOURTH MEETING-HOUSE RAISED, 

" August 27, 1753. The town voted to assess the one 
hundred pounds to build the meeting-house." 

<' November 13, 1753. Voted to proceed with getting 
the materials for the new meeting-house by the first of 
March next." 

" March 5, 1754. Voted to raise three hundred pounds 
for the charge of the meeting-house ; and chose a com- 
mittee to sell or remove the old one." 

" April 15, 1754. Voted to build another porch, oppo- 
site the belfry." 

" May 6, 1754. Voted, that the meeting-house com- 
mittee provide one hogshead of rum, one loaf of white 
sugar, one quarter of a hundred of brown sugar. Also 
voted, that Deacon Stone, Deacon Farwell, Lieut. Isaac 
Woods, Benjamin Stone, Lieut. John Woods, Capt. 
Samuel Tarbell, Amos Lawrence, Ensign Obadiah Parker 
and Capt. Bancroft, be a committee to provide victuals 
and drink for a hundred men." " Then voted, that the 
selectmen provide some convenient place to meet in upon 
the Sabbath till further order." 

These preparations were made for the raising of the 
fourth meeting-house, which took place a few days after ; 
and this is the present meeting-house of the first parish, 
having stood almost a century. 

After the site and size of this house had been deter- 
mined, and the raising had been accomplished, and the 
outside perhaps finished, there were still important ques- 
tions to be settled, which held the inhabitants in a state 
of great inquietude and excitement. How many pews 
shall be built ? who shall build them ? the parish, or 
those who shall own them? what shall be their shape and 
dimensions ? where shall they be situated ? shall there be 
any in the gallery ? These were subjects which for a 
considerable time agitated the town, and on which various 
and sometimes contrary decisions were made. 

At a town meeting held December 2, 1754, it was 



QUESTIONS CONCERNING PEWS. 149 

voted to have pews in the meeting-house. Also, that a 
committee of fifteen persons be appointed to measure and 
make plans of the lower floor and the gallery, in reference 
to pew ground, and to report at the adjourned meeting. 
At the time adjourned to, December 16, the committee 
made a report, which is not on record. A motion to ac- 
cept the report was made and negatived ; to accept as to 
the number and form of the pews, negatived ; to accept 
the number and form on the lower floor, negatived ; to 
accept as to pews on the lower floor, except the pews at 
the ends of the seats, passed in the affirmative. A motion 
for the town to build the pews, negatived ; a motion to 
sell the pew ground for three thousand five hundred 
pounds, negatived. The meeting was then adjourned to 
December 23d. 

At this second adjournment, the town first voted to 
reconsider all votes passed at the first adjournment. The 
several motions were then again made, and the questions 
put, and decided very nearly in the same manner as be- 
fore. The final determination was, that there should be 
a tier of pews all round the meeting-house by the walls, 
and a second tier on the floor, except at the ends of the 
seats ; and that there should be pews in the front gallery, 
and whether any more, left to the discretion of the finish- 
ing committee ; and the town were to build the whole 
number. The meeting was again adjourned to February 
4, 1755. The following vote passed at this last time. 

" Voted, That the pew ground on the lower floor of 
the meeting-house, in said town, be granted unto thirty- 
seven of the highest payers, exclusive of polls, in said 
town, in consideration of their paying to the use of the 
town the sum of one hundred and thirty-three pounds six 
shillings and eight pence ; and that Col. Lawrence, Capt. 
Samuel Tarbell, Lieut. Benjamin Parker, Ensign Heze- 
kiah Sawtell, Esquire Prescott, Capt. Sawtell, Josiah Saw- 
tell, Elisha Rockwood and Capt. John Bulkley, or the 



150 PEWS TO HIGHEST TAX PAYERS. 

major pan of them, be a committee in the name of the 
town to give a proper title to such as shall appear to pur- 
chase the same, in the judgment of the committee, and 
upon the following rules, what every man shall pay 
toward said house, as well as what the said committee 
shall order him or her to pay for their pew ground or 
pew. And upon any of the first thirty-seven refusing, to 
give the next first payer the offer, and so on in the same 
rule till all are disposed of; and the three last invoices 
taken by the assessors of the town to be the rule for said 
committee to govern themselves by ; and that such person 
or persons as shall purchase the said pews, shall take them 
for their seats, for themselves and family, in said house ; 
and such persons to pay for building their own pews ; 
always reserving the pew adjoining the pulpit stairs for 
the ministerial pew for said town." 

March 4, 1755. The following vote passed. 

" Voted, That the pew ground already granted to the 
seven-and-thirty first payers that desired the same, be con- 
firmed to them, their heirs and assigns forever." 

The business of reckoning and settling with the com- 
mittee for building this house, was the subject of much 
labor and long debates, but was brought to a close Decem- 
ber 31, 1759. The whole cost is stated to have been 
£905 195. lO^d. 

The following report of a committee is thought worthy 
of recital, as it may tend to show the habits and manners 
of the times. Some of the rules might be observed with 
propriety at the present time. 

" Groton, May 17, 1756. We, the subscribers, being 
appointed a committee to consider what regulations are 
proper on Lord's day, in the meeting-house, have this day 
attended that service and have agreed as followeth : 

" 1. That every person take their proper seat as soon as 
they come into the meeting-house. 



MEETING-HOUSE REMODELLED. 151 

" 2. That no tobacco be used by chewing or smoking, 
or any trash be left in the meeting-house, either in the 
time of pubhc worship, or in the time of intermission. 

" 3. That after tlie blessing is pronounced, pews and 
all the fore seats, above and below, move out first, and 
after they have quitted their seats, the second seats to 
follow, and so on till the whole house be emptied ; and 
all persons quit the door as soon as they are out. 

"Also, a fine be paid by each person for any defect herein 
mentioned ; the sum of two shillings for the first default, 
and so add one shilling more for the second, and so on to 
add for every offence committed the like sum of one shil- 
ling to the first two shillings, &c., and also the one half 
of the fines above be to any person or persons who shall 
complain of any breaches hereof, and the other half to 
the poor of the town ; and a committee be chosen, whose 
names are James Prescott, Esq., Benjamin Stone and 
Josiah Sawtell, to have these orders to be enacted to be 
a law by the court of general sessions of the peace, if 
needed, as soon as may be." 

This fourth house was set on fire by lightning July 
26, 1795, and the steeple and belfry somewhat injured ; 
but the fire was extinguished without any very great 
damage. 

It is said that on this occasion the ridiculous notion, 
that a fire kindled by lightning could not be extinguished 
by water, but could be by milk, induced some persons to 
carry milk from the neighboring dairy rooms for the pur- 
pose of preserving the meeting-house. 

This building, after having been several times repaired, 
and the inside altered, by removing seats and making 
pews in their stead, till the whole ground floor and most 
of the gallery was occupied by pews, remained substan- 
tially the same in outward appearance till 1839, when it 
was turned, the north end to the west and made the front, 



152 PRESBYTERIAN MEETING-HOUSE. 

the inside all taken out, and the whole thoroughly re- 
modelled in conformity to more modern structures, and it 
now remains the place of worship for the inhabitants of 
the first parish and first church. 

A number of the church and people of Groton opposed 
the settlement of the Rev. Mr. Chaplin, as their minister 
and pastor, because they did not consider his doctrines 
and teachings purely Calvinistic. After his ordination, 
therefore, they absented themselves from regular attend- 
ance on public worship and Christian ordinances. What 
took place in the church thereupon will be related in an- 
other chapter. These disaffected persons built a house 
for public worship, placed at the forks of the roads, the 
one leading to Dunstable, the other to HoUis, New Hamp- 
shire, about one mile north of the first parish meeting- 
house, where Dea. J. Cragin's house now stands. It 
was boarded and shingled, and rough seats were placed 
in it. Occasional preaching and other Christian ordi- 
nances were dispensed therein for a few years only. As 
there were not then legal facilities for escaping taxation 
to the regular support of religious worship, that exist at 
this time, to effect this it was necessary for the seceders 
to form a society of a different denomination from Con- 
gregational, so they petitioned the Legislature for an act 
of incorporation as a Presbyterian society. To this the 
town assented October 27, 1788, and the act passed the 
19th day of November following. The society, however, 
remained regularly organized but for a few years. 

The act of the Legislature of Massachusetts, passed in 
the year 1811, commonly called the Religious Freedom 
Bill, well suited the spirit of the times, and tended greatly 
to the division of towns and parishes, the multiplication of 
sects and religious societies, and the erection of numerous 
churches and chapels. The town of Groton, however, 



UNION MEETING-HOUSE. 153 

was not seriously affected by these general disturbances 
so long as the venerable Dr. Chaplin continued able to 
perform the duties of minister and pastor. But when the 
infirmities of age prevented his discharging the pastoral 
duties, the usual distractions, strifes and contentions, with 
all the bitterness of party warfare, commenced, and ceased 
not till the minority finally seceded and left the majority 
quietly to enjoy their legal and religious rights and privi- 
leges. The seceders commenced the erection of a rneet- 
iug-house, decent for size and accommodations, in the 
summer of 1826. The corner-stone was laid July 4th, 
of that year, and the dedication was performed January 
3, 1827. This house, called the " Union meeting-house," 
stands in a central position in the village, and this season, 
[1846,] it has undergone thorough repairs, and has been 
much improved in outward appearance, and conveniencies 
within. 

There have been a few of the Baptist denomination in 
the town for a number of years, but their numbers and 
abilities were not sufficient to enable them to build a 
house for worship, and support regular religious ordi- 
nances, till within a few years past. In the year 1841, 
they erected a small, but decent and commodious, meet- 
ing-house, at an expense of above $3,000, at the northerly 
part of the principal village, on the spot where the Rev. 
Mr. Hobart's dwelling-house stood, which was a garri- 
soned house in 1694. This house was dedicated Feb- 
ruary 2, 1842. 

Another association, with the denomination of Christ- 
ians, erected a building near the Union meeting-house, 
which was for some time occupied for religious and other 
purposes ; but in 1845, it was removed to a more central 
position, the lower part fitted for shops, and the upper 
made into a convenient place for concerts, lyceums, lec- 
tures and other assemblages of the inhabitants, and is de- 
nommated " Liberty Hall." 
20 



CHAPTER IX. 

Ministers, churches and congregations — Rev. John Miller — Rev. 
Samuel Willard — Rev. Gershom Hobart — Rev. Dudley Brad- 
street — Rev. Caleb Trowbridge — Rev. Samuel Dana — Rev. Daniel 
Chaplin — Rev. Charles Robinson — Rev. George W. Wells — Rev. 
Joseph C. Smith — Rev. John Todd — Rev. Charles B. Kittredge — 
Rev. Dudley Phelps — Rev. Amasa Sanderson — Rev. Alfred Pin- 
ney — Rev. Lewis Holmes. 

Religion was the principal efficient cause of the settle- 
ment of New England by Europeans. The emigrants, 
who first settled upon om' then inhospitable shores, brought 
with them their religious teachers, and one of their first 
employments was the organization of churches. And 
when the Legislature of Massachusetts made grants of 
lands for towns and plantations, the consideration was 
usually stated to be the establishment of a church ; and 
sometimes the grant was limited by a condition, that a 
sufficient number of families for carrying on church 
affiiirs should settle upon the lands granted, within a 
stated time. As a natural consequence of these consid- 
erations and conditions, the first settlers of a new town or 
plantation invariably either took with them their minis- 
ters, or procured one immediately after settlements were 
made. The first inhabitants of Groton took with them, 
or were immediately followed by Rev. John Miller as 
their minister. 

The first vote now to be found on record in Groton 
town books, and it is supposed to have passed at the first 



REV. MR. MILLER. 155 

town meeting, the proceedings of which were recorded, 
is this. 

"At a general town meeting, June 23, 1662, it was 
agreed upon, that the house for the minister should be set 
upon the place where it is now framing." 

The second vote related to the site of their intended 
meeting-house. 

" At a general town meeting, March 18, 1663, it was 
generally agreed as followeth : 

«' 1. Voted, That Mr. Miller is by the consent of the 
town, manifested by vote, to be desired, if God move his 
heart thereunto, to continue still with us, for our further 
edification." 

Richard Blood dissented from this vote. 

'• 2. That Mr. Miller shall have a twenty acre lot set 
out to him, according to the town's grant to him." 

It would seem by these votes, that it was intended Mr. 
Miller should be the settled minister of the town, but he 
was suddenly removed by death. In the first return of 
births and deaths, by the town clerk of Groton to the 
clerk of the courts, his death is thus stated : 

" Mr. Jno. Miller, minister of God's holy word, died 
June 12, 1663." 

Mr. Miller, according to Mather, had been an ordained 
minister in England ; his name is among the early church 
members of Roxbury ; he preached some time in Rowley, 
as assistant to the Rev. Ezekiel Rogers, was afterwards 
settled at Yarmouth, and after this came to Groton. 

The people of Groton were not long without a minis- 
ter. On the 21st day of some month in 1663, from the 
connection it appears to have been June, the following 
vote passed. 

" That Mr. Willard, if he will accept it, shall be their 
minister as long as he lives, which Mr. Willard accepts, 
except a manifest providence of God appears to take him 
oflf." " These persons following do dissent from this 



156 REV. MR. WILLARD ORDAINED. 

vote. Richard Sawtell, Samuel Woods, James Parker, 
John Nutting, James Fiske." 

It is somewhat remarkable that Mr. Willard should be 
settled with these men opposing. They must have been 
about a fourth part in number, and certainly some of the 
principal and most influential men of the town. At the 
same time, a vote passed granting Mr. Willard an interest 
in the ministerial house and lands. 

A little before or upon the 10th of September, 1663, a 
record was made, which is partly destroyed, but enough is 
legible to show, that some dissensions had taken place, and 
the inhabitants now express penitence for injuries done, 
and ask forgiveness of each other, and also of God. And 
a vote upon the tenth of September expresses, that Mr. 
Willard's salary shall commence on the first day of July, 
then past. So that Mr. V¥illard must have been at 
Groton in less than a month after Mr. Miller's death. 

Notwithstanding these votes, and also the circumstance 
that the title of deacon is given to James Parker, in the 
records of 1663, no church was yet organized, or gathered, 
according to the technical language of the times. The 
records of the first church in Roxbury have this memo- 
randum. " 1664, July 13, a church gathered at Groyton, 
and Mr. Willard ordained." This, then, is the date of 
the organization of the first church, and of the first ordi- 
nation in Groton. 

Mr. Willard's salary was voted and allowed in each and 
every year. The first year, from July 1, 1663, to July 1, 
1664, was forty pounds ; the next year fifty, and for 
several years after sixty ; then sixty-five, and finally rose 
to eighty pounds.^ From what can be gathered from the 



' An f^timate of the value of this salary, compared with the price of the 
necessaries of life, m.iy be made by the followiiip; statement of prices of 
articles, in which Mr. Willard was to receive a part of his salary, in the year 
1667. " Wheat five shillings per bushel ; Indian corn three shillings per 
bushel ; pork throe pence per pound ; butter at six pence per pound." 



A 



CHARACTER. 157 

votes of the town, respecting him daring his ministry, 
it seems, that he and his httle flock lived happily together, 
and that he was duly respected by the people of his 
charge. 

The Rev. Samuel Willard was son of Major Simon 
Willard, one of the first settlers of Concord, Mass., highly 
distinguished both as a civil and military character. He 
was born at Concord, January 31, 1G40 ; received the 
honors of college at Cambridge, 1659 ; was ordained at 
Groton, July 13, 1664; married Abigail Sherman, August 
8, 1664, grand-daughter of Lord Darcy, Earl of Rivers, 
after whose death he married Eunice, daughter of Edward 
Tyng. He continued in the ministry at Groton till the 
town was burnt by the Indians, March 13, 1676. April 
10, 1678, he was installed colleague pastor of the third 
church in Boston, (Old South,) and had the superinten- 
dence of Harvard College, with the title of Vice Presi- 
dent, from September 6, 1701, to August 14, 1707. He 
died September 12, 1707. It is said, he had twenty chil- 
dren ; six by his first wife, and fourteen by the second. 

Mr. Willard was an author of great celebrity. His dis- 
courses on various occasions and subjects were very 
inimerous, and a list of his printed w'orks comprises be- 
teen thirty and forty volumes, chiefly pamphlets, it is 
presumed; but his greatest work, entitled, "A Body of 
Divinity, in two hundred and fifty Expository Lectures 
on the Assembly's Shorter Catechism," was printed in a 
folio volume, the first of that size printed in America. 
The Hon. Josiah Willard, Secretary of the province, by 
appointment of the King, for thirty-nine years, was his 
son, and the late Rev. Joseph Willard, President of Har- 
vard College twenty-three years, was his great-grandson. 

No records of the church have been found, if any were 
kept, during the ministry of Mr. Willard, and after this 
lapse of time, nothing can be said of its members, officers, 



158 KEV. MR, HOBART's CALL. 

prosperity or adversity. James Parker, only, is twice in 
the town records entitled deacon. 

The next minister of Groton was the Rev. Gershom 
Hobart. Upon the return of the inhabitants to resettle 
the town in the spring of 1678, Mr. Hobart accompanied 
them, or soon followed. The following record, being the 
first after the return, seems by the last sentence in it to 
have been made some time after the transactions it relates, 
from memory of the selectmen. 

" The record of the lands granted to Mr. Gershom Ho- 
bart, at a general town meeting, June 29, 1678, viz., all 
the common land, that lies near the place where the old 
meeting-house stood, Dunstable highway running through 
it, and the highway running into the Captain's land, where 
it may be judged most convenient by them, that are to 
lay it out. 

" 2. That piece of swamp and upland that lies between 
Timothy Allen, Joseph Gilson, the highway leading to 
the hawtree, and Lieut. Lakin's and John Parish. 

" 3. Three hundred acres taken out of the common 
land, in one or two places, where it is most convenient 
for him. 

" 4. Fifteen acres of meadow, seven given by particular 
men, the other to be made up by the rest of the town, 
according to their proportion. 

" 5. That he is to have out of the common equal privi- 
lege of wood, timber and commonage with the rest of the 
inhabitants of the town, acccording as he have need. 
Moreover he is to have the house that he now liveth in, 
with all the aforenamed privileges, performing the condi- 
tions as foUoweth, viz., that he accept of the call, and 
come to settle among us, to be the town's minister and 
the church's officer, then the above mentioned particulars 
to be his, and his forever. 

" This condition was consented to be written by the 



ORDINATION AND SALARY. 159 

major part of the selectmen, evidenced by several wit- 
nesses to be the vote of the town, at the time above men- 
tioned." 

He was ordained November 26, 1679. It does not ap- 
pear by the records what salary he received for the first 
year, but at a meeting held 10th of 10th month, 1680, a 
salary of seventy pounds, to be paid in "corn, Indian, 
wheat, rye, barley, at price current, as the courts shall 
state it, and in other provision as God bless us withal, 
and thirty cords of wood." At another meeting held the 
22d of the same month, the salary was reduced to fifty 
pounds, one quarter part to be paid in money. 

We should apprehend, at this time, that a minister did 
not need such a bestowment in lands as the town then 
granted. 

Mr. Hobart appears not to have lived harmoniously and 
happily with his parishoners. In the fore part of his 
ministry, the people were distracted with the question 
where their meeting-house should stand, and afterwards 
fixing Mr. Hobart's salary, which was done annually, 
caused much dissension and strife. 

The following copies, from the records of the town, 
will give some idea of the mutual feelings between pastor 
and flock. The subject of building the meeting-house 
has been treated of in the last chapter. 

"Instructions to the selectmen, December 11, 1682. 

" That the selectmen do make and maintain peace and 
love with one another in the town, especially with Mr. 
Hobart, in encouraging him in his work by forwarding 
one another in being willing to allow him honorable 
maintenance, as the law directs ; and that they warn the 
inhabitants together till they be agreed with him, and 
make no pact till the town be agreed with him." 

" At a general town meeting upon the 12th 10 m., 
1682, it was agreed upon and voted by the town, that 



160 CONDITIONS OF PAYMENT. 

they would give Mr. Hobait three score pounds, for this 
year's salary, in pay and specie as foUoweth, that is to 
say, fifteen pounds in money, and five-and-forty pounds 
in corn and provision ; one half to be paid by the first of 
March, and the other half by the next Michaelmas, and 
six-and-thirty cords of wood." 

Whereupon, ten persons, apparently principal men of 
the town, engaged to pay their proportion of a seventy 
pound rate, a quarter part in money, and forty cords of 
wood. Upon this, the town voted sixty-five pounds and 
forty cords of wood. 

The salary was the same the next succeeding year, 
and seventy pounds the next after. 

" At a general town meeting legally warned, December 
14, 1685, the inhabitants of the town being generally 
assembled, then determined and voted, that they would 
give Mr. Hobart fourscore pounds this year, and so from 
year to year, and so not rising any higher, annually in 
specie as followeth : twenty pounds in money, eight 
pounds in pork, at eight pence per pound, and fifty-two 
pounds in corn, of all sorts, as it please God to bless them, 
to be paid in two terms, one half to be paid by the first 
of March next, and the other half by the tenth of Novem- 
ber next ; and forty cords of wood, which is to be paid 
yearly by the last of January next, and so annually from 
year to year, and not to rise any higher." 

" Understanding the pork to be paid in the first half 
year's pay, 1 assent to the vote, as witness my hand. 

Gershom Hobart." 

" The town dissented from Mr. Hobart's assignment 
to the vote above mentioned." 

The sentence over the signature, and the signature 
itself, in the original, are in the handwriting of Mr. 
Hobart. The disagreement upon the time that a small 



BKEACH WITH MR. HOBART. 161 

part of the salary should be paid, seems to be too small to 
cause a dissension between a minister and his people ; but 
nothing else appears to have been in dispute. 

" At a general town meeting, Groton, December 28, 

1685, the inhabitants of the town being assembled, then 
determined and voted, that Mr. Gershom Hobart has set 
himself at liberty from the said town, as to any engage- 
ment from him as their minister, as also he has freed the 
town from any engagement to himself, by Mr. Hobart's 
refusing and slighting what the said town olFered him for 
his salary,^ at two several town meeetings, as does appear 
recorded in the town book ; and that the town is yet 
ready and willing to agree with him for the future, if he 
see cause. From this vote no man dissented." 

At the same meeting, when the last vote above passed, 
another vote, to give Mr. Hobart one hundred pounds 
from year to year, ten pounds in pork at three pence per 
pound, and the rest " in such pay as shall please God to 
bless us withal," was passed, without stating at what time 
any part should be paid, but several of the principal men 
dissented. Then follows this record. 

" This hundred pound vote was confirmed at a general 
town meeting held at Groton, 4th 11th m., 1685-6, the 
second time, and Mr. Hobart's assignment to the four- 
score pounds vote was not assented to." 

So it seems the town, rather than yield as to the time 
of paying the pork, increased the salary twenty-five per 
cent., and the selectmen were ordered to make the rate 
accordingly. Peace, however, was not made between the 
parties. 

"At a general town meeting, held at Groton, July 27, 

1686, it was then agreed upon and voted, that they would 
give to Mr. Gershom Hobart fourscore pounds a year, and 
so on annually, as he continues the town's minister ; one 

' Seventy-five pounds had first been offered, then eighty. 

21 



162 TROUBLES WITH MR. HOB ART. 

quarter part in money, the otlier three parts in such as it 
please God to bless us withal ; in case the non-residents 
pay their proportion, as they have done formerly ; but 
otherwise, and if the non-residents be exempted, we do 
agree to give the said Gershom Hobart seventy pounds 
this year, and so annually, one quarter part in money, and 
if any person cannot pay his part in money he has liberty 
to pay his quarter part in corn, or other provision at half 
price." ^ 

On the last page of another town book, not used for 
the common records of town meetings, the above, under 
date of August 2, 1686, is recorded as " a final agreement 
between Mr. Hobart and the inhabitants," omitting, how- 
ever, what relates to non-residents, signed by " Josiah 
Parker, in the name and by the order of the town." Un- 
derneath, in the handwriting of Mr. Hobart, is the same 
assignment, respecting the time of paying the pork as 
before, and his signature. Then this record follows. 

"December 9, 1687, at a general town meeting, the 
town being then the general part of them together, then did 
hear the record which was between Mr. Gershom Hobart 
and the town of Groton, and there was very few or none 
of the inhabitants that had ever heard it before, and then 
they did see cause for to enter their dissent to this above 
record, and their reasons are these. 

" I. Their agreement with Mr. Hobart, for to give him 
eighty pounds, was upon this condition: that so long as 
the non-residents did pay with us, and no longer, and if 
they did get off from paying with us, then seventy pounds 
a year. 



3 At a town meeting held August 12, 1689, it was agreed by James 
Parker, Jonas Prescott, John Farnsworth and Josiah Parker, that if those 
who were unable to pay their tax in money, would bring their grain, wheat 
at 2s. 6d per bushel, rye 2s Qd , corn Is Qd., within a neek, they would 
receiv^e it and pay the money; by which it would ser ;n that money was 
scarce, and that Mr. Hobart would not receive grain at half price. 



MR. HOBART LEAVES THE TOWN. 163 

"2. The second reason is, because those men, that did 
engage for to pay money for those that brought them 
corn at * * * * per bushel was not entered, they do dissent 
from this agreement with the town, and refuse to take 
corn upon that account. 

" By me, William Longley, Cleric, 

by order of the town." 

It is probable that the dissension became so great about 
this time, that Mr. Hobart left the town. For the next 
record in which he is mentioned, is under date of Oct. 27, 
1690, when it is voted, " that they will pay Mr. Hobart 
eighty pounds per year, according as it is written in the 
town book, for the year ensuing, provided lie come and be 
with us, so that we have a constant supply of preaching 
the word on Lord's day, by himself or some other 
auiherdocks minister of the gospel." And on the ISth of 
June, following, it was voted, " that they would stand to 
their covenant with Mr. Hobart, and honestly perform it 
to him, provided Mr. Hobart return to us and perform his 
duty amongst us, as was promised by him, when we en- 
tered into covenant with him," &:c. 

To this vote ten dissented. Mr. Hobart, however, 
did not listen favorably, and soon after, the town 
agreed to call a council respecting the settlement of some 
other minister ; and in December they voted, "to invite 
some meet person to preach God's word to them," and 
chose a committee for that purpose ; and again in the 
same month, they voted, " to give the minister, Mr. 
Hancock, eight pounds, money, for the first quarter of the 
year, and pay for his board besides." Other votes suc- 
ceeded which amounted to a call for Mr. Hancock to 
settle as minister ; but in October, 1692, a vote passed to 
give Mr. Carter a call, and to give him sixty pounds for 
this year. 

In May, 1693, the town voted to hire Mr. Hobart's 



164 MR. HOBART INVITED TO RETURN. 

house for the minister, " if they can have it upon rational 
terms." Also, to purchase a piece of land to build a house 
upon, to be the minister's forever. 

In August, of the same year, a committee was chosen 
to purchase a place for the ministry, and four places were 
"propounded." "Mr. Hobart's, Joshua Wheat's, John 
Lawrence's and James Parker's." 

October 2, 1693, the town chose James Parker, senior, 
and William Longley, " for to go down and see for a 
minister to preach God's word to them." And on the 
ninth of the same month, wonderful to be told, they 
passed the following vote. 

" At a general town meeting, legally warned, the major 
part of the town did by vote declare, that they would 
give Mister Gershom Hobart a call to be their settled 
minister, if he will take satisfaction with what the town 
can do for him ; and for his encouragement the town did 
declare by the major vote, that they would give to Mr. 
Hobart sixty pounds this present year ; one fourth part in 
money, the rest in corn and provision, at town price, and 
forty cords of wood ; and the said Mr. Hobart to rise and 
fall with the people ; as the providence of God may be 
towards the people, and the said town will be at the 
charge of fetching Mr. Hobart's family up again, and give 
five pounds towards the repairing Mr. Hobart's house." 

This vote was renewed on the fourteenth day of No- 
vember following, with some slight variations and addi- 
tions. The first states the price of provisions ; corn at 
three shillings per bushel, rye at four shillings, wheat at 
five shillings, cow beef three pence per pound, ox beef 
two and a half pence, and pork three pence. The wood 
to be paid by the last of January ; the sixty pounds, one 
half first of March, the other part first of December. The 
other, proposed seventy pounds per annum, and no wood. 
Which of the propositions Mr. Hobart accepted does not 
appear. In December and January, votes passed allowing 



MR. hobart's death. 165 

pay to sundry persons for fetching up Mr. Hobart's family 
and goods ; among others, " the town did agree to allow 
good-wife Church two shillings, in town pay, and no 
more." This might be for setting Mr. Hobart's house in 
order to receive him.'* 

Nothing further respecting ministers appears till the 
last of the year 1703, and during 1704, when several 
votes passed respecting salary, by which it seems prob- 
able, that Mr. Hobart preached till about the commence- 
ment of the year 1705, and no longer. During the year 

1705, a Mr. John Odly, [quere, if it should not be Odlin, 
or Hoadley ?] preached and received a call by a town vote. 

The Rev. Gershom Hobart was one of the eight sons 
of Rev. Peter Hobart, first minister of Hingham, whose 
ancestry was from Hingham, in England, where the said 
Peter was himself born. From accounts of the Hobart 
family, given by Winthrop in his Journal, and by Lincoln 
in the History of Hingham, Gershom was not the only 
one of the name involved in difficulties and contentions. 
No record of the birth of any of his children can be found, 
but the children of three of his sons, Gershom, Shubael 
and Peter, are recorded, being born between 1715 and 
1740. He is supposed to have died at Groion, December 
19, 1705, aged 62. 

The immediate successor of Mr. Hobart, in the minis- 
try, was the Rev. Dudley Bradstreet. The first notice 
of him in the town records is this : 

" At a town meeting, legally warned, the 5th of March, 

1706, the town did declare by vote, that they desire Mr. 
Bradstreet still, in order to settlement. At the same 
meeting, the town declare by vote, that they would give 
Mr. Bradstreet, for the ensuing year, seventy pounds ; one 



■* Whether or not the reconciliation betwen the town or church, and Mr. 
Hobart, was brought about by an ecclesiastical council, does not appear, as 
the church records, if any were kept by Mr H., are undoubtedly lost. 



166 MR. BRADSTREET SETTLED, 

quarter part money, and the rest in corn and provision at 
town price ; this, in order to settlement." 

'' The persons chosen for to discourse Mr. Bradstreet. 
Benjamin Farnsworth, Joseph Gilson, S. Parker." 

In April, 1706, the town voted a settlement of one 
hundred pounds to Mr. Bradstreet, and in May, they voted 
as follows : *' That they would make a good house of 
thirty-eight feet long, and eighteen feet wide, and a 
lean-io of eleven feet wide all the length of the house, and 
they will finish it comfortably ; and that they would build 
a good little barn for Mr. Bradstreet." And at this last 
meeting the town chose a committee to let out the house 
and barn to be built, and to buy a place for the minister. 

It afterwards appears that they bought of Capt. Parker, 
and built the house now owned by Thomas J. Nutting, 
or a part of it, standing southeasterly of the burying 
ground. 

Nothing appears on record, but that Mr. Bradstreet and 
the people lived in peace and harmony till the year 
1711, when, by votes passed, it seems that some difficul- 
ties had arisen between them, and that advice had been 
taken of ministers and elders, which advice the town 
uniformly voted to follow. But nothing can be dis- 
covered of what caused the troubles. The following 
record sliows the conclusion of the matter, and the dis- 
mission of Mr. Bradstreet. 

" Whereas, at a meeting of the Rev. Elders and Mes- 
sengers lately convened at Groton, April 15, 1712, and at 
the meeting of said Rev. Elders and Messengers at Marl- 
borough, June 18, 1712, upon adjournment, advice hath 
been given to the Rev. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet, pastor of 
the church in Groton, and to the church of Christ there, 
that the said church and town should forthwith propose 
to dismiss the said Mr. Bradstreet from his office bond 
and relation to them, as the most probable expedient, in 
their judgment, to promote their peace and comfort. 



MR. BRADSTREET DISMISSED. 167 

" In pursuance of the above specified advice, the church 
of Christ, in Groton, declare, and it is voted in and by 
said church, at their meeting orderly convened this day, 
that the Rev. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet is dismissed from, 
and is discharged of, his pastoral relation and office obli- 
gation to the church of Groton. 

" Voted, also, that our brethren, Capt. Prescott, Simon 
Stone, Jonas Prescott, jr., be desired and are empowered 
to present the above written votes of the church to the 
inhabitants of the town of Groton for their concurrence, 
and to join with such person or persons, as the town shall 
appoint, to present these votes, and the town's concur- 
rence therewith, to the Rev. Mr. Bradstreet. 

"Groton, July 22, 1712." 

" At a meeting of the inhabitants of the town of 
Groton, legally warned, to consider certain votes of the 
church of Christ, in Groton, referring to their discharging 
the Rev. Mr. Dudley Bradstreet from his pastoral relation 
to them, and his office bond to said church : 

" Voted, That the town doth concur with the votes of 
the church, referring to Mr. Bradstreet's dismission as 
above expressed ; and that the inhabitants of said Groton 
do release the said Mr. Bradstreet from the relation he 
stands in to them as their minister. 

" Voted, also, that Nathaniel Woods, Ephraim Pierce, 
with Capt. Prescott, Simon Stone, Jonas Prescott, Jr., 
chosen by the church to present their votes to the town, 
at this present meeting of the inhabitants, be a committee 
on the behalf of the town to present the votes of the 
church and town to the Rev. Mr. Bradstreet. 

" Groton, July 24, 1712." 

Mr. Bradstreet began a book of records of the church, 
the first now to be found, or known to have existed. 
The marriages, baptisms and admissions to the church 



168 FIRST BOOK OF CHURCH RECORDS. 

are kept in Latin under the following titles. " Niiptias, 
Baptismata, Catalogus eorum, qui ad ccenam Dominicam 
fuere admissi," and "eorum, qui Feodus Bap. cognovere." 
But the records of most other matters are mostly in Eng- 
lish.^ The book commences with, 

" 1706." 
" D. Bradstreet in oftlcium pastorale apud Grotonenses, 
Nov. 27, inauguratus." 

Under the first head, marriages, sixteen couple are re- 
corded during his ministry. Under the second, baptisms, 
eighty-one persons are named baptized in Groton, and 
eleven in Dunstable. Under the third, admitted to the 
church in full communion, eleven only. Under the 
fourth, who owned the baptismal covenant, forty-nine. 



'" The following copy shows one of the customs of the churches in New- 
England in former times. 

"January 12, 1706-7. 

" Maria Parker, vidua, (nunc Johannis Nutting uxor,) TLoqvuai; rea 
sequentem in ecclesia confessionem exhibuit. 

" In quantum, magnam perpetravi nequitiam, et scortatione nefaria in 
Deum atrociter peccavi, baud sine magno religionis Christianaj dedecore, 
necnon summo animae nieae discrimine, simul ac Dei aperto populorum scan- 
dalo ac dolore. Spero equidem peccati ac amentiae istius nequissimi con- 
tritione vera cor meum affectum esse. Anima mea onere gravissimo 
deprimitur, quod in Dei foedere sanctissinio tarn false prevaricarem. 
Deum coeli et terrae efifectorem quam ardentissime, quam diutissime, preci- 
bus petivi supplex quod veram piamque in animam meam tristitiam 
infunderet, et ut vita^ novitate ac nova obedientia illi obediam, opesuadivina 
me peccatorem feliciter secundaret. Mihi maxime in consolationem fontem 
esse opertum pro peccato et pro separatione ex emunditia, et obnixe praecor, 
quod in isto fonte me puram ex emunditia me reddat Dominus. In quantum 
lapsu meo religionem veram contumeliaeffici,populoque ac ecclesiae Dei fui 
offendiculo, humilem me reddat Deus. Imprimis ac prae cseteris, a Deo, 
quem contumelia efhci, deinde ab ecclesia, populoque Dei quibus fui offen- 
diculo, condonationem impetro et implore. 

" Denique enixe rogo ut pro me Deum oretis, (divina aspiranti gratia) 
malas omnes relinquam vias, et ad Jehovam revertar, ut misereatur mei, et 
ad Deum, quia plurimum condonat." 



ASSOCIATION OF CHURCHES. 169 

The records of the proceedings of the church are unim- 
portant. 

"At a church meeting, February 2, 1707-8, John 
Farnsworth was duly elected a deacon for the church at 
Groton. D- Bradstreet." 

As there was some dissatisfaction in the church with 
this choice, they were permitted to vote again on the 
question, May 14, 1708, when he was again elected by 
three majority, and was confirmed." 

" At a church meeting, March 10, 1708-9. 

" Voted, That Deacon Farnsworth do, by the first op- 
portunity, provide a table cloth and platter, for the more 
decent celebration of the communion." 

The following may be thought worthy of notice, 

" At an association of churches at Marlborough, July 
16, 1707. 

" To the Church of Christ at Groton. 

" Brethren, — The association of churches is a doctrine 
owned and pleaded by the Rev. Elders, whom God hon- 
ored greatly by making them the happy instruments of 
laying the foundations of the constitutions of the churches 
in this American world. The associated pastors of thir- 
teen churches have, out of a zeal for God's glory and 
their own and their churches' good and benefit, resolved 
by divine assistance to pursue the holy instruction left 
them by these worthy and learned persons, and to that 
end have determined not to manage any thing in their 
respective churches, which may tend to produce any 
embroilment in them, without the advice of those pastors 
with whom they are associated ; and accordingly desire 
the consent of the several churches, that the council 
to advise in and about such case shall be called out of 
those churches to which the pastors, with whom their 
22 



170 NOTICE OF MR. BRADSTREET. 

pastor is associated, doth belong ; that it is with you to 
signify your consent hereto. 

Joseph EstabrookSj Moderator." 

" At a church meeting at Groton, July 21, 1707. The 
abovesaid determination was then voted in this church, 
nemine contradicente. D. Bbadstbeet." 

The Rev. Dudley Bradstreet was born at Andover, 
April 27, 1678 ; graduated at Harvard College 1698 ; 
married Mary Wainvvright May 4, 1704. His father and 
his grandfather, (one of the Governors of Massachusetts,) 
had the same given name, Dudley. After he had been 
dismissed from Groton, he went to England, and there 
received episcopal ordination ; but before commencing his 
return voyage, died suddenly of the small pox. The 
births of two children are recorded. Simon, born at 
Andover, March 7, 1705-6; baptized by Mr. Barnard, 
March 10. Dudley, born at Groton, March 12, 1707-8; 
baptized the t4th. 

The births of two children of Dudley Bradstreet and 
Abigail his wife, are recorded in Groton ; the first, June 
27, 1728 ; the other, August 7, 1730; probably grand-chil- 
dren of the minister. 

" At a town meeting, December 25, 1712, the town 
voted to concur with the church in 'setting apart one day 
of humiliation in this town,' and to invite Mr. Whiting, 
of Concord, and Mr. Eveleth, of Stow, to assist in the 
same," probably on account of their being destitute of a 
settled minister. 

Before settling another minister, after the dismission of 
Mr. Bradstreet, three persons at least were hired as candi- 
dates for settlement ; two of whom, Mr. Tufts and Mr. 
Cotton, received invitations to settle. A Mr. Barnard 
preached for some time, and he and Mr. Tufts were rival 



MR. TROWBRIDGE ORDAINED. 171 

candidates before the town, and Mr. Tufts had the major 
vote. 

On the 2Sth of June, 1714, the town voted, that if Mr. 
Trowbridge woidd come and settle witli them, as their 
minister, they would give him seventy pounds per annum 
till settlement, and eighty pounds afterwards, aniuially ; 
one hundred and twenty pounds for settlement and thirty 
acres of woodland. 

"March 2, 1714-15. Caleb Trowbridge in officimn 
pastorale fuit apud Grotonenses inauguratus." 

Mr. Trowbridge pursued the same method of recording 
marriages, baptisms and admissions to the church, that his 
predecessor had begun, and for about half the term of his 
ministry it appears, that due care was taken to make 
regular entries ; but in later time it is believed many 
omissions were made. 

The number of baptisms, from his ordination to 1720, 
were ninety-one, and the next succeeding twelve years 
only twenty-four are recorded, but a number of blanks 
are left in the records. Seventy-seven more are recorded 
by the year 1742, after which there are none. 

One hundred and fifty-seven persons were admitted to 
the church in full communion, and eighty-seven to the 
baptismal covenant. But many omissions were undoubt- 
edly made in the latter part of his ministry. The 
marriages seem to have been more regularly recorded, 
and the whole number is three hundred and forty-nine 
couples. 

The proceedings of the church are more fully recorded 
by Mr. Trowbridge, than they had been by Mr. Brad- 
street. The following are some of the most important. 

'' Groton, April 22, 1715. At a church meeting. 

" Whereas, Deacon Whitney is old, and desirous of the 
choice of another to officiate in his place ; and, whereas. 
Deacon John Farnsworth is desirous of a new choice, 



172 CHURCH RECORDS. 

unless he were more unanimously confirmed, the church 
did thereupon unanimously elect, or make choice of, 
Simon Stone and Thomas Tarbell, to officiate as deacons 
in the church of Groton. 

Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." 

" At a church meeting in Groton, 1722, John Longley 
was chosen deacon. Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." 

"At a church meeting. May 14, 1729, Daniel Farns- 
worth was chosen deacon by a great majority. 

Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." 

" Church meeting, September 23, 1742, James Stone 
chosen deacon." 

" At a church meeting in Groton, on the 14th of Sep- 
tember, 1733, voted that Deacon Longley, and brother 
Ephraim Pierce, be a committee as trustees for this 
church, to call for and receive of brother William Law- 
rence, the forty pound legacy that was given by Mr. Jona- 
than Lawrence, in his last will and testament, to this 
church, for the procuring some silver vessel or vessels for 
the Lord's table, and that they lay out the said forty 
pounds in such manner, or according to such instructions, 
as this church shall give them." 

By subsequent records it appears that the committee 
purchased two silver tankards with the forty pounds, 
charging nothing for their services, and received the 
thanks of the church. 

Rachel Hartwell was inquired of for absence from the 
communion, and advised. 

Jonathan Farnsworth, his son Jonathan, and Simon 
Stone, Jr., were dismissed from the church, in order to 
form a new church in Harvard. 

The following copy is found on a separate paper, the 
original and other matters being apparently lost. 



JONATHAN Lawrence's legacy. 173 

''At a church meeting in Groton, November 6, 1730. 

"Voted hy said church, that Deacon Simon Stone, 
Deacon John Longiey, and Deacon Daniel Farnsworth, 
members of said church, be a committee as trustees for 
said church, to receive the twenty pounds given by Jona- 
than Lawrence, late of said Groton, in his last will, to 
said church, the profits and income of which were ordered 
in said will to be accounted for to the settled or ordained 
minister or ministers of said town, successively, as may 
more fully appear by said will, reference thereto being 
had, and that they are hereby empowered to discharge 
the executor of said will, of the said twenty pounds, upon 
their receiving the same, and are instructed to let it out to 
interest, taking good security to themselves, as trustees 
and their successors in said trust ; the profits and incomes 
thereof to be accounted for to our Reverend Pastor, Mr. 
Caleb Trowbridge, so long as he continues sole minister 
of said town ; and are further instructed to offer said 
twenty pounds, as soon as they receive it, to our said 
pastor, to be in his hands and improvement during said 
church's pleasure. 

" A true copy : Caleb Trowbridge, Pasior." 

It appears, by later records, that Mr. Trowbridge took 
the twenty pounds into his own possession, and gave a 
bond to repay it. 

"At a church meeting, March 9, 1737-8, voted, that 
the deacons of the church be allowed, for their trouble in 
providing for the Lord's table, five shillings for each time 
of providing for the past, and seven shillings and sixpence 
for the future, till further order. 

Caleb Trowbridge, Pastor." 

This sum was afterwards altered to one pound, old 
tenor ; and still later, that each communicant should con- 
tribute four coppers at each communion. 



174 NOTICE OF MR. TROWBRIDGE. 

At a church meeting February 29, 1739-40, the subject 
of compelHng persons to confess themselves guihy of an 
offence, of which they said, " if not absohitely, yet next 
to impossible to convict them," was acted upon, and some 
relaxation made in the rule before adopted ; but a part of 
the record is so worn as to be illegible. 

The Rev. Caleb Trowbridge was born at Newton, No- 
vember 17, 1692; graduated at Harvard College, 1710; 
married Sarah Oliver, March 10, 1715, by whom he had 
one son ; afterwards married Hannah Walter, of Roxbury, 
by whom he had four sons and four daughters. Some of 
his descendants are still living in Groton. It is believed 
the inscription upon a slab of slate laid over his grave, 
is a true and impartial statement of his religious, moral 
and social character. 

" Underneath this stone lies the body of the Rev. Caleb 
Trowbridge, late pastor of the church of Christ in Groton ; 
born of reputable parents, in the town of Newton ; edu- 
cated at Harvard College, in Cambridge, New England ; 
of such natural and acquired endowments as rendered him 
an ornament and blessing in the several relations which 
he sustained. He was a good steward over the house of 
God, and discharged the duties of his pastoral relation 
with prudence and impartiality, diligence and fidelity. 
He was a tender and loving husband, an affectionate and 
kind parent, an agreeable and faithful friend, and a useful 
member of society. He was much beloved and respected, 
while he lived, and died greatly lamented the 9th day of 
September, A. D., 1760, in the sixty-ninth^ year of his 
age, and forty-sixth of his ministry, and is, we trust, re- 
ceiving the reward of his labors in the kingdom of his 



* If the record of his birtli is correct, taken from Newton town record?, 
he lacked two months of being sixty-eight years old. 



MR. DANA CALLED. 175 

Lord. And, in honor to his memory, his loving people 
have erected this monnment over his grave. 

" Blessed are the dead, who die in the Lord, for they 
rest from their labors, and their works do follow them. 

"The memory of the just is blessed." 

After the death of Mr. Trowbridge, it does not appear 
that any candidate for the ministry preached in the town, 
except Mr. Samuel Dana, the next ordained minister. 

At a town meeting, February 3, 1761, the town unani- 
mously made choice of Mr. Samuel Dana, for their minis- 
ter, and voted a settlement of two hundred pounds, and 
an annual salary of eighty pounds, or seventy pounds and 
good fire-wood, not exceeding thirty cords, at the election 
of Mr. Dana. He accepted the invitation to settle, and 
was ordained the third day of June following. 

No articles of faith or church covenant appear on the 
records of the church till about the time of Mr. Dana's 
ordination. The following was accepted by the church 
and pastor elect, June 1, 1761. 

" Groton Church Covenant. 

" We, who through the exceeding riches of the grace 
and patience of God, do yet continue members of this 
church, being sensible of our great unworthiness to be 
owned as the Lord's covenant people ; also acknowledging 
our great inabilities to keep covenant with God, or to per- 
form any spiritual duties, unless the Lord Jesus enable us 
thereunto, by his Spirit dwelling in us ; and being awfully 
sensible, that it is a dreadful thing for sinful dust and 
ashes personally, and, much more, socially, to transact 
with the infinitely glorious Majesty of heaven and earth, 
do, in humble confidence of his gracious assistance and 
acceptance through Christ, each one of us, for ourselves, 
declare our belief of the sacred Scriptures as the word of 



176 CRURCH COVENANT. 

God, and perfect rule of faith and obedience, resolving 
by his grace to conform to them. 

" We adhere to the faith and order of the gospel, as 
exhibited in these churches, in their confession of faith 
and platform of church discipline, for the substance of 
them. 

" We give up ourselves in an everlasting covenant to 
the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, Son and Holy- 
Spirit, as to our Creator, Redeemer and Sanctifier, to 
love, obey and serve him forever. 

" We own and submit to the Lord Jesus Christ, as the 
head of his body, the church, receiving and relying upon 
him as the great High Priest, Prophet and King of our 
salvation. 

" We give ourselves, each to other, by the will of God, 
engaging by his help to carry it towards one another as 
fellow members in church society, to watch over one 
another in brotherly love, and to walk together in a due 
subjection to, and attendance upon, the order and ordi- 
nances appointed by Christ, and enjoined upon his<. 
churches in the gospel. 

" We thankfully acknowledge, that our posterity are 
included in the gospel covenant, and accordingly promise 
to bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the 
Lord, and to own them in their covenant relation, accord- 
ing to the rule of God's word. 

"We promise to preserve communion with the churches 
of Christ, walking together in the faith and order of the 
gospel, by giving and receiving mutual counsel and 
assistance in all cases wherein it shall be needful. And 
now we repair to the blood of the great sacrifice for the 
pardon of all our sins, depending entirely upon our Lord 
Jesus Christ for acceptance with God, and for his good 
Spirit to enable us to keep his holy covenant, praying 
that we may adorn the doctrines of our God and Saviour 
in all things, and avoid even the very appearance of evil ; 



CONFESSION OF FAITH. 177 

earnestly praying that the Lord would take delight to 
dwell among us, that heaven's blessing may be upon us, 
and that his glorious kingdom may be advanced by us. 
Now to God, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, be ascribed 
endless praises. Amen. 

James Stone, Moderator. 
"Assented to per Samuel Dana, Pastor elect" 

"At the meeting last mentioned, the church voted, 
also, with regard to admission of members to full com- 
munion, that the making a relation, (as it is commonly 
called,) shall not be a term of communion, but that any 
person, (if in a judgment of charity qualified,) shall be 
admitted to this privilege, upon his assenting in public 
to some such articles of faith as these following : still 
allowing liberty, to any who choose it, to make a relation. 

" You believe, that there is one God, in three persons, 
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. 

" You believe, that the sacred Scriptures are the word 
of God, and a perfect rule for our faith and practice. 

" You believe, that man is a fallen creature, and cannot 
be justified by the deeds of the law. 

"You believe, that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and 
Saviour of men ; and that he will bestow salvation on 
those, who repent of their sins, believe in his name, and 
live according to the precepts of his gospel. 

" You believe, in the resurrection of the body, a future 
judgment, and state of rewards and punishments. 

" You believe, that baptism is an institution of Christ, 
and that the Lord's supper also is a sacrament, by which 
his church in this world should commemorate his dying 
love ; to which church you believe it is your duty to join 
yourself." 

The church also at this meeting, voted in relation to 
the confession necessary to be made by parents, to entitle 
23 



17S MR. DANA ORDAINED. 

their children to the rite of baptism, who might be sup- 
posed to have committed the offence of which, in Mr. 
Trowbridge's time, they supposed that, " if not absolutely, 
yet next to impossible to convict them," not materially 
varying from a " seven months' " rule heretofore adopted. 
These regulations were signed by the moderator, and 
assented to by the pastor elect. One proposal made by 
the church was not assented to, viz., " That a church 
meeting should be called at the request of ten members." 

Mr. Dana's objection to this was so strong, that the 
church, on the day of ordination, rescinded it, and notified 
the ordaining council of the fact. 

" Samuel Uana in officium pastorale apud Grotonenses, 
inauguratus fuit die Junii 3, 1761." 

At a church meeting, June 26, the foregoing covenant 
and regulations were consented to by the members, sig- 
nified by " the brethren holding up their hands, the sisters 
by standing up." Then follow the names of forty-two 
males, and forty-nine females ; one female omitted by 
mistake and entered on another page. 

Nothing appears on the records either of the town or the 
church, which shows that uninterrupted peace and har- 
mony, between pastor and people, did net subsist till the 
relation between Great Britain and her American colonies 
assumed a warlike appearance. Mr. Dana, at that event- 
ful crisis, believing that resistance would lead to greater 
evils, than were then endured, used his influence on the 
side of non-resistance. On a Sabbath in March, 1775, he 
preached a sermon "' which gave great offence to the peo- 
ple, who were generally inclined to unwavering resist- 
ance. He was not allowed to enter the meetina;-house on 



' This wa« called the windy sermon, from the circumstance that it was on 
a very windy day, and while being delivered one of the horse stables was 
blown down. 



CONFERENCE WITH MR. DANA. 179 

the next Sabbath, and his dismission by the town soon 
followed. The following is from the town records. 

" This memorandum witnesseth, that at a conference 
between Dr. Oliver Prescott, Capt. Josiah Sawtell, Dea. 
Isaac Farnsworth and Benjamin Bancroft, Ensign Moses 
Child and Mr. Jona. Clark Lewis, on the one side, and the 
Rev. Samuel Dana, on the other side, it was proposed and 
agreed to by all parties, that the pastoral relation between 
the said Samuel Dana and the inhabitants of Groton, 
should be dissolved, on conditions, the town when pro- 
perly met shall judge it expedient, and at the same time 
will restore the said Samuel Dana to the usual privileges 
and advantages of society and neighborhood, and use 
their influence to preserve him and his family and sub- 
stance from injury and abuse, ^ either from the inhabitants 
of this, or any of the neighboring towns. The said 
Samuel Dana, at the same time, giving the town the 
reasonable assurance in his power, that he will not only 
not oppose their political measures, but will unite with 
them agreeable to the advice of the Continental and Pro- 
vincial Congresses, and the votes of the town." 

An article was inserted in the warrant for May meet- 
ing, in relation to his dismission, and the following vote 
passed. 

" They took the second article into their consideration, 
and the Rev. Samuel Dana came into the meeting, and 
after some conference with the town, and the memoran- 
dum above being read and duly considered, he, the said 
Dana, desired the town would grant him a dismission from 
his pastoral relation and office, in the said town ; where- 

^ It is matter of tradition, that the inhabitants were so enraged, that they 
phot bullets into Mr. Dana's house, to the great danger of his hfe and tlie 
lives of his fiimily. He lived in a part of the house which is now Daniel 
Hunt's hotel. 



180 DIFFICULTIES WITH THE CHURCH. 

upon, the town voted nem. contrad. that the said Samuel 
Dana be dismissed from his pastoral relation and office 
aforesaid, and he is hereby finally discharged therefrom 
accordingly." 

His dismission by the church seems not to have been 
so easily effected. The church records are as follow. 

" 1775, March 12. Notified a church meeting to be 
at the meeting-house on Tuesday, 21st instant, at two 
o'clock, P. M., in general, to transact any matters they 
may judge proper, to put an end to the unhappy differ- 
ences subsisting among us. 

" 21st. Church met according to appointment, and after 
a few hours spent in saying but little, and doing nothing, 
adjourned to next Monday, two o'clock, P. M.. 

"27th. Church met, had a long conference, but they 
refusing to make any formal charges against the pastor, 
and the pastor refusing to make any confessions, till 
he should first know what would be satisfactory ; the 
meeting was finally dissolved without any vote being 
called, except to try their minds with regard to deferring 
the sacrament for the present, and dissolve the meeting, 
both which passed in the affirmative." 

So far is in the handwriting of Mr. Dana ; then follows 
in a different hand. 

" After the church meeting, on the 27th of March, 1775, 
was dissolved, they could not obtain another meeting by 
the appointment of their late pastor, notwithstanding they 
had informed him of a great many of their grievances, and 
repeatedly desired him to call a church meeting, both by 
verbal and written requests, one of which was signed by 
a great majority of said church, but received for answer, 
that he would not call a church meeting, nor attend one 
of their calling; saying, You may do as you please; I 
must do as I can. 

" Lord's day, May 25, 1775. Rev. Dr. Cooper, of Bos- 
ton, preached, and was desired by the deacons and some 



LEGACIES. 181 

of the brethren of the church to appoint a church meet- 
ing, to be held at the public meeting-house on the next 
Monday." 

At the meeting so appointed, the church voted, " that 
what Mr. Samuel Dana has offered to the public for satis- 
faction, for his conduct in political matters, is by no 
means satisfactory to this church, as a brother." 

During Mr. Dana's ministry one hundred and twenty- 
four persons, (thirty-eight males, eighty-six females,) were 
admitted to the church in full communion ; two hundred, 
(seventy-seven males, one hundred and twenty-three 
females,) owned the baptismal covenant. Of the first 
class, fourteen confessed having committed the offence 
afore-mentioned, and of the last class, sixty-six, a propor- 
tion not indicative of good customs and morals. Bap- 
tisms, exclusive of adults, were seven hundred and 
seventy-two. Marriages, one hundred and sixty-six 
couples. 

During Mr. Dana's ministry two legacies, for the benefit 
of the poor of the church, were received, and the deacons 
chosen trustees thereof; one bequeathed by Captain 
Ephraim Sawtell, of thirteen pounds six shillings and 
eight pence, the other by Samuel Barron, the sum not 
being mentioned in the record. But at a subsequent 
meeting of the church, the sum of one pound twelve shil- 
lings is mentioned as the annual interest thereof. The 
principal, therefore, was twenty-six pounds thirteen shil- 
lings and four pence. These sums, with a loss sustained 
by the depreciation of money at the close of the Revolu- 
tionary war, are still in trust of the deacons of the first 
church, for the benefit of the poor thereof, according to 
the direction of the testators. 

" March 28, 1776. Zachariah Longley was chosen to 
the ofiice of deacon." 

" December 31, 1773. The church made choice of 



182 NOTICE OF MR. DANA. 

Isaac Farnsworth and Benjamin Bancroft, Jr., to the office 
of deacons." 

The Rev. Samuel Dana was born in that part of 
Cambridge which is now Brighton, January 14, 1739 ; 
graduated at Harvard College in 1755; married Anna 
Kendrick, May 6, 1762. They had two sons and three 
daughters, born in Groton. After his dismission from the 
town and church, as above related, he continued some 
years in Groton, and preached, it is said, eighteen months 
to the Presbyterian society. Afterwards he removed to 
Amherst, New Hampshire. He read law, and went into 
the practice of it in Amherst, and was appointed judge 
of probate for the county of Hillsborough. He died at 
Amherst, April 2, 1798, and was buried with masonic 
ceremonies, he being one of that order, and master of 
Benevolent Lodge at the time of his death. St. Paul's 
Lodge, of Groton, attended, and the Hon. Timothy 
Bigelow, the master thereof, delivered an eulogy on the 
occasion. 

Between the dismission of the Rev. Samuel Dana and 
the ordination of the Rev. Daniel Chaplin, two candidates 
were employed to preach ; Mr. Chaplin and Mr. Bigelow. 
September 2, 1776, the town concurred with the church 
to hear these candidates four Sabbaths each. And De- 
cember 16, 1776, the town voted to concur with the 
church, in the choice of Mr. Chaplin for their pastor and 
minister, by a vote of forty-eight to twenty-three. And 
for settlement and salary, they voted two hundred pounds 
for settlement, and one hundred and ten pounds salary 
annually, for the three first years, and eighty-four pounds 
annually afterwards, so long as he should be minister, and 
varying according as the prices of the necessary articles 
of life should vary. This was altered at a subsequent 
meeting to one hundred pounds annually, for the three 
first years, and eighty pounds afterwards, and at this 



MR. CHAPLIN CALLED. 



183 



meeting the question of choosing Mr. Chaplin for minis- 
ter was again put, and all persons present, whether legal 
voters or otherwise, were desired to vote, and all, except 
one, voted in the affirmative.^ 

To the invitation given to Mr. Chaplin, he returned a 
negative answer, July 7, 1777, assigning for reasons, that 
the town was large, and would probably be a place of 



^ The report of the town's committee, " chosen to consider the proper 
encouragement for Mr. Chaplin, their pastor elect," was as follows: " That 
the town give the said Mr. Chaplin two hundred pounds, as settlement. 
That the three first years' salary shall be one hundred and ten pounds each, 
and afterwards, eighty-four pounds annuallj', so long as the said Mr. Chaplin 
shall be our minister, as a standard to be settled on the capital necessaries of 
life, by a committee to be annually chosen by the town for that purpose, 
agreeably to the articles hereafter named, the price of which articles and 
the year of standard shall be settled by a committee appointed by the town 
at this meeting, which articles named, with their prices so stated, shall be 
entered on the town book for the rule of conduct for the town committees in 
future." The articles appear in the report of the next mentioned committee. 
This report was accepted, and a committee of five chosen to state the prices 
of the several articles of " capital necessaries of life," who at the adjourned 
meeting made the following report. 

" The committee appointed to state the prices of the articles named in the 
former report, &c., having taken great pains to ascertain their prices in 1774, 
obtained from two noted merchants, the prices of West India goods, as sold by 
them, therefore report. 





s. 


d. 


1- 






" Wheat, 


6 








per bushel. 


Rye, 


4 










" 


Indian Corn, 


3 










" 


Barley, 


3 


8 







" 


Oats, 


1 


8 







" 


Beans, 


6 










(( 


Beef, 





2 


1 


per 


lb.. 


Pork, 





3 


2 




•' 


Mens' shoes. 


8 








per 


pair. 


Sheep's wool, 


I 


4 





per 


lb.. 





s. 


d. q. 


Flax, 





9 2 per lb. 


Cotton Wool, 


1 


8 0" 


W. I. Rum, 


3 


per gall. 


N. E. Rum, 


2 


0" 


Molasses, 


1 


8 0" 


Best B. Sugar, 


48 


per cwt. 


Salt, 


2 


per bushel. 


Price of a good 


laboring man for 


a year, sixteen 


pou 


nds." 



There is great inconsistency in the quantities of the articles here enumer- 
ated as the " capital necessaries of life." Perhaps it was intended, that the 
amount of salary should depend in a great measure upon the yearly price of 
a laboring man, as by this schedule it does ; that item being three-fourths of 
the whole ; but, that brown sugar and rum should regulate one-half of the 
remaining fourth is quite unreasonable, while heef and pork are scarcely 
discernible in the computation. It would seem equitable, that if the value 
of a whole year's labor of a man were put into the schedule, a sufficient 
quantity of the several articles to support a small family, and no more, should 



184 MR. Chaplin's salary. 

notoriety, and would require a minister of more talents 
and abilities than he possessed ; also, that the inhabitants 
were not sufficiently unanimous in their desire for his 
settlement. Whereupon the town voted to add one hun- 
dred pounds to the proposed settlement, and again voted 
on the question whether they would have Mr. Chaplin 
for their minister, by yeas and nays ; and upon counting, 
there were one hundred and one yeas, fourteen nays, 
and two neuters. To this second invitation Mr. Chaplin 
gave an affirmative answer October 27, 1777; and the 
first day of January, 1778, was fixed upon for his ordina- 
tion, which took place accordingly. 

Previous to the ordination, a committee of the church 
made report, " that the church covenant be continued 
as recorded in the church book." 

" That the terms of communion be the same as were 
established. 



also be put in. Perhaps neither the committee, nor the town collectively, 
perceived the unequal bearing the several articles would have in the com- 
putation, though it seems incredible, for the record says, " the report was read 
several times, and duly considei-ed by the town." The salary was annually 
computed by committees of the town, or first parish, according to the report 
of this committee, till 1S07, when, by agreement, the sum of the annual 
salary was fixed at six hundred and fifty dollars, which was continued to 
1821, and then the interest of Groton ministerial fund, amounting to about 
the same sum, was adopted, which was regularly paid to January 7, 1826. 
The salary for the year 17S2, by the foregoing computation, amounted to 
£115 6s. 4irf— $.384,39. In 1788, it was £77 lis. 2i<Z.— $2.58,54. In 
1806, it was $669,30. 

It appears by the town records, that the town was culpably negligent 
in paying Mr. Chaplin the two hundi-ed pounds settlement, as well as the 
first four or five years' salary. The excuse, if any plausible one could be 
given, for so long delay of payment, would probably be the distressed cir- 
cumstances of the town, in raising men, paying them, and providing them 
clothing and provisions in the war of the revolution, and the depreciated state 
of the common currency. Such was the distress of the times, during five 
or six years first after his ordination, that long lists of persons' names were 
annually presented to the town for the abatement of their taxes; many were 
wholly abated, and others postponed to be paid at a future time. 



DIFFICULTIES AT WESTFORD, 185 

" That it is highly expedient that the following vote 
should be passed and strictly adliered to : 

" That those persons, who own the covenant, in order 
for baptism, as hatii been practised in this church, shall be 
under the same watch and discipline as members in full 
communion." 

Several other by-laws were reported, among them one, 
that the pastor should call a church meeting on the 
request of ten brethren made in writing, which had been 
refused by the late pastor, should be adopted. The whole 
were assented to by the pastor elect. 

''Daniel Chaplin in otiicium pastorale apud Grotonenses 
inauguratus fuit die Jan. 1, 1778." 

From this time the records of the church are more full 
and complete than at any previous period. The proceed- 
ings during the interim between the dismission of Mr. 
Dana and the ordination of Mr. Chaplin, are mentioned 
in the records as being on file, (which file is now lost,) 
and among them is a letter from Mr. Dana to the ordain- 
ing council of Mr. Chaplin, objecting to his ordination. 
The correspondence with the church and town of West- 
ford, and with the aggrieved party there, are also named 
as on file, and a vote to attend an ecclesiastical coun- 
cil there by the pastor and two delegates, is recorded. 
The following closes the records in relation to the troubles 
in Westford : 

"June 1, 1780. — Lecture day. The brethren of the 
church tarried after divine service, having been notified 
the Sabbath before, further to consider of the matters 
relating to Westford. And to proceed with the greatest 
care and deliberation, the letter missive from the aggrieved, 
the result of the council, the letter from the church of 
Westford, and the letter from the aggrieved desiring occa- 
sional communion with us, were all read, and the church 
went into a mature, lengthy and cool debate upon the 
subject. After a while the question was put, whether the 
U 



186 JONATHAN Lawrence's legacy. 

church approve of the result ; and it passed in the affirm- 
ative by a great majority. And also whether the church 
will grant the request of the aggrieved, to admit them to 
occasional communion, so long as their situation shall 
remain such that they cannot enjoy the privileges of the 
ordinances at home, upon such terms as they can con- 
scientiously comply with ? passed in the affirmative by a 
great majority." 

At a church meeting, July 5, 1782, the four deacons 
Far well, Stone, Farns worth, and Bancroft, with Israel 
Robert, Esq., were chosen trustees of the twenty pounds 
given by Jonathan Lawrence for the benefit of the 
ordained minister or ministers of Groton, with power to 
take and receive the same of Samuel Dana, the late 
pastor ; if need be, to sue him upon his bond given 
therefor. Also to offer the same to Rev. Daniel Chaplin, 
if he will receive it, otherwise put it out upon interest, 
and pay over to said Chaplin the interest thereon. No- 
thing further appears upon the records respecting that 
fund. It was probably put into Mr. Chaplin's hands, and 
his ministry lasting about half a century, those acquainted 
with the transaction Avere no longer members of the 
church, or had no recollection thereof 

The disaffection with the preaching of Mr. Chaplin, 
which resulted in the disruption of the church and 
society, and the organization of a Presbyterian church 
and society in the town, is first mentioned in the church 
records under date of September 30, 17S2, when great 
dissatisfaction is expressed with "the brethren Col. Josiah 
Sartell, Capt. Joseph Sheple, and Mr. John Gragg, for 
withdrawing themselves from our communion, and from 
public worship with us at the public meeting-house, and 
for joining with others in setting up an irregular society, 
in opposition to this church, and against the peace and 
happiness of this town." On this occasion the church 
took into consideration the subject generally of offences 



LETTER OF THE PRESBYTERY. 187 

and dereliction of duties by the brethren, and the duties 
of the other brethren individually and the church toge- 
ther, in such cases; and many resolutions were passed 
expressing the opinion of the brethren on the matter 
before them, as well as on the subject of offences gener- 
ally. And it seems that the brethren named were cen- 
sured by the church, though no express record thereof 
appears, except reference to the files. 

The following correspondence passed between the 
church, and the presbytery which assisted the seceders. 

" The following record is the copy of a paper sent to 
the church in Groton, by a presbytery : 

"Whereas Col. Josiah Sartell and Mr. Oliver Fletcher, 
commissioners from a society in Groton, presented a 
petition from said society, praying to be received under 
our care. The presbytery finding that the said society, by 
the confession of the commissioners are under censure by 
the church of Groton ; but that said church refuse them a 
copy of their censure, and they think they are unjustly 
and tyrannically used, as they can find no means of 
redress ; and this presbytery, desirous to give relief to 
those who are oppressed, and to maintain a Christian cor- 
respondence and communion with the church in Groton, 
and not do anything which may justly offend our Christian 
brethren of the Congregational church ; therefore we do 
admit the petition of said society and receive them under 
our patronage and care ; and order said society to serve the 
church of Groton with a copy of this minute, and desire 
said church to give all the light they can in the affair to 
this presbytery at their next meeting, and that said society 
submit to the judgment which this presbytery shall then 
make as to their case aud continuance in this relation. 

"A true copy extracted from the minutes. 
"Attest. 

"Nathaniel Whitaker, Presbytery Moderator, 
"John Strickland, Clerk. 

^' Salem, Sept. 11, 1783. 



188 ANSWER OF THE CHURCH, 

" This presbytery appointed to meet at Groton the 
second Wednesday of June next, at ten o'clock in the 
morning, at tlie presbytery meeting-house. 
A true copy. 
" Attest. JosiAH Sartell, Clerk of the presbytery, 

church and congregation in Groton. 
"Groton, May 10, 1784." 

" The following record is the church's answer to the 
foregoing paper : 

" To the Presbytery of which Doctor Nathaniel Whitaker 
of Salem is Moderator. 

" Gentlemen, — We have received a vote of yours, dated 
at Salem, September 11, 1783, a copy of which is 
enclosed, announcing that you had taken the separate 
society in this town under your ' patronage and care,' and 
desiring us to give you light in the case of these our 
brethren, who have unconstitutionally and unwarrantably 
left us and joined themselves to your communion, having 
made no previous application for a reconciliation to us, 
who were offended with them. All the notice, which in 
our opinion your proposition of our submitting this affair 
to your examination, justly merits, you have in what 
follows, which you will consider as the only answer we 
are determined to make. 

It appears that you viewed our brethren as not justly 
censurable, by your proceeding immediately to take them 
under your care, by your preaching among them, directing 
them to the choice of church officers, and administering 
the ordinances of baptism and the Lord's supper to them, 
as though they had been a society in regular standing and 
formed according to the orders of the gospel. Having thus 
prejudged the case, you cannot be admitted as competent 
judges between us and them. Influenced by a party 
spirit, which, it is certain, is opposite to the meek, the 



ANSWER OF THE CHURCH, 189 

humble and peaceable spirit of Christianity, you have in 
this instance with temerity, taken a measure adapted, 
indeed, to build up a party, but not the common cause of 
the great Redeemer, and forever to disconnect our breth- 
ren from us. We are sorry they have been so unhappily 
injudicious in their choice of advisers, by whom they 
have been directed into a way that cannot fail to prove 
injurious to their most important interests. We do not 
object against you because you are Presbyterians ; for we 
are ready to declare ourselves in full charity with the 
churches of your denomination, who discover the Chris- 
tian temper, by walking, in all essential points, according 
to the order which Christ hath established in his church ; 
but we object to you, because we consider you in the 
light of separatists, whose sentiments and practice, how 
much zeal soever there may be mixed therewith, in our 
opinion tend to the subversion of churches of other deno- 
minations, to the introduction of contention, confusion 
and every evil work into society ; and, indeed, to the 
ruin of the general cause of Christianity in the world. 
We cannot desire any ecclesiastical intercourse and fel- 
lowship with you, so long as you appear, as at present, 
to be governed by views and sentiments uncandid, schis- 
matical, and even hostile to all peace and good order in 
the church. Look inwards, gentlemen ; carefully read 
the faithful records of your own consciences, and see if 
you cannot find it there written, that you have not done 
to others, as you would have others do to you. Look up- 
wards, also, and consider seriously, whether your conduct 
will be sure to meet the approbation of Him who is much 
greater than your hearts, and who is not the author of 
confusion, but of peace in all the churches. We wish 
you no greater present mortification, than would be the 
necessary consequence of seeing your conduct in a just 
and impartial light ; and we can desire you no greater 
present and future happiness, than to be freed from error 



190 RESOLUTION OF THE CHURCH. 

and false apprehension, to know and sincerely acknow- 
ledge the truth and be saved. 

" In the name and by the vote of the church in Groton. 
" Daniel Chaplin, Pastor." 

''The church also voted, that Dea. Samuel Lawrence 
be directed to deliver this letter with the above copy, to 
the Rev'd John Strickland, clerk of the Presbytery. 

"Dated at Groton, Lord's day, June 6, 1784." 

" Resolved, as the opinion of this church, that notwith- 
standing the Salem Presbytery (so called) have lately 
determined and declared the separate society in this town 
to be a regular and constitutional Presbyterian society, 
and confirmed them as a part of their body, they are not 
a regular and constitutional society of that, or any other 
denomination of Christians, and therefore it would be 
irregular, and have a tendency to encourage and promote 
disorder, for this church in general, or for any individual 
members of it, to hold occasional communion and fellow- 
ship with them in the ordinances of the gospel, so long as 
they continue in their present disorderly state. 

" The church voted, also, that if any members of this 
church have, since the first existence of the above men- 
tioned separate society in this town to the present day, 
partook with them in the ordinances of the gospel, and 
shall make application to the pastor of this church, and 
give him satisfaction, by informing him they inadver- 
tently supposed it not to be irregular for them to partake 
there, they are desirous to continue in the communion of 
this church, and they will not in time to come, now 
knowing it to be contrary to the minds of the church, 
hold occasional communion with that society ; this shall 
be deemed satisfactory to the church ; provided, the pas- 
tor mention to the church the names of the persons, who 



ASA LAWRENCE AND WIFE DISMISSED. 191 

have made such satisfaction to him, immediately before 
the communion, after the congregation is retired. 

Daniel Chaplin, Pastor. 
" Groton, Lord's day, July 11, 1784." 

" N. B. The foregoing resolution and vote were read 
to the congregation, the following Lord's day, according to 
the direction of the church, that all concerned might be 
made acquainted with them." 

"At a church meeting, held September 24, 1784, by 
adjournment from last Lord's day, after divine service, the 
church voted themselves satisfied with the acknowledge- 
ment of Abigail, wife of Asa Lawrence, for the offence of 
having partook of the Lord's supper with the separate 
society in this town, being previously informed by the 
pastor, that she had made application to him and declared, 
' that at the time she did it, she did not know and con- 
sider it to be contrary to the order of the gospel and justly 
offensive to this church.' 

" Asa Lawrence, husband of said Abigail, made a simi- 
lar acknowledgement, for the same offence, and was for- 
given and restored to the charity of the church a short 
time before, upon the Sabbath, after divine service. 

" They, both of them, asked a dismission from this 
church to join a regular Presbyterian church, and were 
accordingly dismissed, he, the last Lord's day, and she at 
this meeting, and recommended with the following certifi- 
cate from the church. 

" Whereas, our brother and sister, Asa Lawrence and 
Abigail, his wife, members in full communion with this 
church, and in good standing, have requested a dismission 
from their particular relation to us, that they may join 
with the Presbyterian church in liondonderry, under the 
pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Morrison, and profess them- 
selves to be seriously and conscientiously of the Presby- 



192 MR. Dana's request. 

terian persuasion ; this is to certify that we have com- 
plied with their request, and dismissed them from our 
particular care, watch and discipline, in order that they 
may be regularly admitted as members of the above- 
named church. Furthermore, we recommend them as 
persons of a sober life and Christian conversation ; and 
we hope and sincerely pray, that they may adorn the 
Christian religion, which they profess, and be edified yet 
more and more in faith, holiness and comfort. And we 
recommend them unto God and the word of his grace. 

Daniel Chaplin, Pastor, 
" in the name of the church in Groton. 
" Groton, September 24, 1784." 

At a church meeting, October 5, 1783, Thomas Far- 
well and Samuel Lawrence were chosen deacons. 

In December, 1785, the Rev. Samuel Dana asked a 
dismission from the church in Groton, and a recommenda- 
tion to the church in Amherst, New Hampshire. He also 
communicated a letter addressed to the church in Groton, 
from the Presbyterian churches in Boston, Peterboro' and 
others, informing, that they had taken the Presbyterian 
church in Groton under their care. Whereupon, the 
church chose a committee to consider the application 
of Mr. Dana, and said letter, and also to consider what 
measures should be taken with other members of this 
church, who had partaken of the ordinances with Presby- 
terians. This committee afterwards reported in sub- 
stance, that the church should forget and forgive every 
thing of a political nature where Mr. Dana had offended, 
while their pastor ; but that his conduct since his dis- 
mission, in preaching and administering the ordinances to 
the Presbyterians, they could not forgive ; but recommend, 
that a committee be chosen to confer with him on the 
subject, whenever he should come to Groton. Accord- 
ingly, a committee of ten were chosen for that purpose. 



DIFFICULTIES AT WESTFORD REMOVED. 193 

Also, that the letter of the presbytery should be answered. 
The answer is referred to, as on file. Also, that the 
members of ihis church, who have walked disorderly, and 
not according to the rules of the gospel, should be dealt 
with, as the gospel directs ; and a committee was chosen 
to inquire who had so walked disorderly. 

January 29, 17S6. The church received a letter from 
the church in Westford, "lamenting the interruption of 
communion between us and them, for several years 
past," and desiring a reconciliation. The church chose a 
committee to confer with one from Westford, "and this 
church expects the committee from Westford to bring 
the sentiments of the Rev. Mr. Scribner (pastor of the 
church of Westford) and the church, plainly and particu- 
larly drawn up in writing, being previously laid before 
the church of Westford, and voted by them to contain 
their true sentiments in relation to the two following 
points, viz., whether it he the duty of sinners, while unre- 
generatCj to attend upon any means of grace and religion 7 
and whether sin be the object of GocVs choice, and agree- 
able to his will 1 A difference in sentiment respecting 
these points, having been the ground of non-communion 
between the churches in the vicinity, and the church and 
pastor of Westford." 

November 25, 1787. The result of the conference is 
reported, by which " intercourse and communion " were 
restored between " the neighboring churches, and the 
church and pastor of Westford." 

The transactions of the church, from September, 1797, 
to April, 1799, are lost, by a leaf being torn from the 
book. At some period during that time, Amos Farns- 
worth and Samuel Rockwood were chosen deacons. 

September 12, 1802. The practice of reading a portion 
of Scripture, as a part of the religious exercises on the 
Sabbath, was first adopted, by a vote of the church. 

January 7, 1803. A church meeting was held, at the 
25 



194 CHURCH PRACTICES. 

request of twenty-one members, in writing, to take into 
consideration three several propositions, the substance of 
which were, 

1. To discontinue the practice of obhging parents, who 
desire to have their children baptized, by their owning the 
covenant, to make confession before the congregation of 
a supposed offence, heretofore mentioned as incapable of 
positive proof, 

2. Whether it were not agreeable to the spirit of re- 
ligion, and apostolic practice, to admit persons to the 
ordinances, upon their assent to the church covenant, 
without further declarations of reformation, and whether 
this should not for the future be the practice of this 
church. 

3. Whether the practice of making acknowledgements 
or confessions before the congregation, by members in full 
communion, and others, for any immoralities, should be 
discontinued. 

The first and third propositions were adopted, and the 
second postponed for further consideration, and finally 
rejected. 

April 5, 1803. A committee having been previously 
chosen to confer with brother Jonas Stone, for his neglect 
to attend public worship and the ordinances, reported, 
that brother Stone gave for excuse of his delinquency 
the use of instrumental music in the religious services, 
which he considered unscriptural, and the church tolerat- 
ing that part of worship to be managed altogether by 
young people. 

May 10, 1811. Joseph Sawtell, Jr., was chosen a dea- 
con of the church. 

June 12, 1814. The church voted to discontinue the 
practice of admitting persons to own the baptismal cov- 
enant, so called, and have their children baptized without 
being admitted to full communion. 

April 2, 1818. Mrs. Hannah Brazer, wife of James 



DR. CHAPLIN CEASES TO PREACH. 195 

Brazer, Esq., presented to the church a cloth, for the com- 
munion table ; and October 1, 1818, James Brazer, Esq., 
presented two flagons, the cost of which was fifty dollars, 
and both received the thanks of the church. 

Nothing further of any importance appears to have been 
transacted by the church during the long ministry of Dr. 
Chaplin, till he had become unable, through the infirmi- 
ties of age, to perform its duties. But as soon as that 
good shepherd could no longer watch over and feed his 
flock, and a stranger undertook to lead it to unwonted 
pastures, the sheep would not all follow, and a permanent 
separation of the flock ensued. 

To give a particular and minute account of all the 
transactions which produced a permanent separation of 
the town into two parishes, or societies, and caused the 
formation of a second church, would, it is deemed, be an 
unprofitable labor. A general statement, only, of the 
principal matters leading to the final result, is as much as 
will tend to edification. 

On Sunday, July 10, 1825, being a very hot day. Dr. 
Chaplin, towards the close of his discourse in the after- 
noon, fainted in his pulpit, and was led out of the house, 
and never again preached therein. For a few Sabbaths 
afterwards, however, he made prayers, and sermons were 
read by some of the parishioners. Then, a licentiate 
from Andover Theological Institution, without any invi- 
tation or agency of the town or church, appeared and 
conducted the services, with the exception of two Sab- 
baths, till Thanksgiving-day, November 24, 1825. 

November 14, 1825. The church voted, seventeen to 
eight, to give Mr. John Todd (the licentiate above named) 
a call to become colleague pastor with Dr. Chaplin. 

At a town meeting, November 25, 1825, called to see 
if the town would unite with the church in the settle- 
ment of Mr. Todd, after long debate upon the question, 



196 OCCASIONAL PREACHING. 

the inhabitants voted, " to pass over the article," by a 
large majority. At the same meeting, they voted and 
chose a committee to hire preaching, in case of Dr. Chap- 
lin's inability to preach himself, for a term of four months. 
This committee consulted with Dr. Chaplin, on the sub- 
ject of their duty, who requested them to state in writing 
of what religious tenets the person should be, whom they 
should hire to preach. This they declined, claiming the 
right to act for the town, without dictation from him on 
this point. After some debate, it was mutually agreed, 
that the committee should procure ordained ministers to 
preach, for a few Sabbaths. Soon after, the committee 
waited on Dr. Chaplin, to agree upon some other arrange- 
ment, when he informed them, that he would procure a 
supply for the pulpit. To this, the committee objected, 
claiming the right of the town to choose their minister ; 
and on this question, whether Dr. Chaplin, when super- 
annuated and unable to lead in public worship, should 
provide such preaching as he pleased, or whether the 
town had the right to choose their own preacher, such 
proceedings Avere had, as led to a final separation of the 
town into two parishes. The town insisted on exercising 
their rights, as they understood them, and on the twenty- 
first of January, 1826, two ministers were provided to 
preach ; one by Dr. Chaplin, and the other by the town's 
committee. The latter preached ; and from that day, Dr. 
Chaplin, v/ith a majority of the church and a minority of 
the town, seceded, and soon after formed a separate 
society. This, however, did not terminate the strife be- 
tween the parties. The seceding members of the church 
claimed to be the church, and attempted to control those 
who continued with the majority of the parish, and who 
claimed to be, and were, according to a decision of the 
Supreme Court, tJie church. The latter, perceiving no 
hopes of a reconciliation, proceeded, according to their 
rights, to hold meetings, have the ordinances administered, 



MB. ROBINSON CALLED. 197 

and take measures to procure and ordain a pastor and 
minister. For tliese proceedings the seceders undertook 
to censure them ; and, assuming themselves to be the 
church, persevered even to the form of excommunication. 
Eight of the male members of the church, after having 
been visited, conversed with, and summoned to appear 
at a church meeting, held by the seceders, received each 
a written notice of their excommunication. One only of 
the number so dealt with, censured, and pretendedly ex- 
communicated, made any answer or reply to the proceed- 
ings, and that one stood upon his defence, maintaining 
that the seceders were not the church, and that those 
who remained with the majority of the town, were 
properly and legally the church, and that by having had 
the ordinances administered, though contrary to a vote of 
the seceders, which was the principal accusation against 
them, no censurable offence had been committed. 

On the twenty-third day of July, 1826, being a little 
time before the pretended excommunications had been 
issued, the church proper made choice of the Rev. Charles 
Robinson for their pastor, and at a town meeting, called 
for that purpose, August fourth, succeeding, the inhabi- 
tants chose him as their minister, one hundred and forty- 
three to sixty-nine, and the first day of November was 
appointed for his instalment. 

Between the secession of the Rev. Dr. Chaplin, and the 
instalment of Mr. Robinson, eight persons were admitted 
members of the church on original profession, and one 
from another church. 

Daniel Chaplin, D. D., was born at Rowley, December 
30, 1743, son of Jonathan Chaplin and Mary Boyntoa 
his wife. Hugh Chaplin, grandfather of Daniel, came 
from England about eighteen years after the landing of 
the pilgrims at Plymouth, a young man, who settled at 
Rowley. 



198 DR. Chaplin's life, 

Dr. Chaplin did not commence his studies in early life. 
In his youth he worked with his father in husbandry and 
coopering. He prepared for college at Dummer academy, 
and did not enter till he was twenty-six years of age. 
He took his first degree at Harvard college with the class 
of 1772, and was said to be one of the best scholars in 
the class. He studied theology with Dr. Haven, at Ports- 
mouth, New Hampshire ; was ordained at Groton, Jan. 1, 
1778 ; married Susanna Prescott, a daughter of the Hon. 
James Prescott of Groton, June 24, 1779, by whom he 
had three sons and five daughters. One son and two 
daughters only survived him. 

As evidence of his scholarship, it may be stated, that 
he was invited, soon after his ordination at Groton, to 
take the superintendence of Phillips academy at Exeter, 
New Hampshire. He received the honorary degree of 
Doctor of Divinity, from Harvard college in 1817. 

With the exception of the short time between his ordina- 
tion and the final separation of the Presbyterians from the 
church and society, he lived in a state of much harmony 
with the church and people of his charge, during the long 
period of his ministry. He did not abound in " worldly 
wealth and riches," by many deemed necessary to con- 
tentment and happiness ; but he possessed a calmness and 
serenity of mind, a social as well as devotional spirit, 
which enabled him to pass by the objects that cause cares 
and troubles, envyings and repinings, to those of a different 
temperament. Though of a serious, sober, and elevated 
turn of mind, he was affable, sociable and cheerful in his 
intercourse with his parishioners, and enjoyed satisfaction 
in seeing theni prosperous and happy in their lawful 
pursuits and undertakings. 

He entered not into the political strifes and contentions 
of his time, but was clear and decided in his views and 
principles, which were always in accordance with those of 
Washington and other patriots^ who formed and endeavored 



CHARACTER, AND DEATH. 199 

to perpetuate the federal institutions of our country, and he 
fearlessly expressed them on all proper occasions. He 
was firm, consistent, stable, conservative, in all his 
opinions and transactions. 

His public discourses were didactic and practical, rather 
than doctrinal ; he taught the great and essential duties 
of morality and Christianity, more than the particular 
tenets of any sect: all Christians, therefore, could pro- 
nounce his teachings orthodox. In associations or eccle- 
siastical councils, his decisions were always on the side of 
liberality and true Christian charity, and his opinions were 
much respected and regarded by the clergy with whom 
he had intercourse. 

The course he pursued, after he could no longer per- 
form the ministerial duties, may appear somewhat at 
variance with his general character here portrayed ; but 
considering that the rank, power and authority of the 
clergy at the time of his ordination and during a part of his 
ministry had been lost by modern innovations ; and also 
considering his connections at this time, partly of necessity 
and partly accidental, there is no mystery in the case ; so 
that no imputation of voluntary wrong should be imputed 
to him by those acquainted with all the circumstances 
and relations, in which he stood. 

He preached a sermon in the Union meeting-house the 
first Sabbath in January, 1828, half a century after his 
ordination. 

The infirmities of age came gradually upon his vener- 
able form, till the eighth day of April, 183 1, when his 
immortal part left its tabernacle of clay, and fled to its 
permanent habitation. 

The number of church members admitted during Dr. 
Chaplin's ministry, was two hundred and twenty, viz. 
seventy males and one hundred and fifty females. Se- 
venty-five owned the baptismal covenant, in order to 
their children's receiving the rite of baptism; and one 



200 OBJECTIONS TO MR. ROBINSON's ORDINATION. 

thousand three hundred and sixty-two children were bap- 
tized by him. Five hundred and fifty-five couples took 
the marriage covenant in his presence. 

The Rev. Charles Robinson was the seventh minister 
of Groton. An unavailing attempt was made by those 
inhabitants of the town, who for the year previous had 
held meetings and attended worship separate from the 
majority of the town, to prevent his instalment. On the 
first Sunday after the town had chosen Mr. Robinson for 
their minister, a notice signed by Dr. Chaplin was posted 
at the meeting-house, calling a church meeting " to take 
into consideration the subject of giving the Rev. Charles 
Robinson an invitation to become their colleague pastor." 
This call was of course intended for the seceders, who 
accordingly met at the meeting-house, which being closed, 
the meeting was opened on the door-steps ; and the ques- 
tion having been put, whether they would invite the 
Rev. Mr. Robinson to become colleague pastor, the yeas 
were none, the nays twenty. 

On the evening previous to the instalment of Mr. 
Robinson, a very large and respectable council having 
convened for that purpose, the committee of the church 
and town laid before them the proceedings of the church 
and town, in the choice of Mr. Robinson, and the pro- 
visions for his support. Three persons from among the 
seceders appeared before the council, claiming to be a 
committee of the church, and laid before them a written 
remonstrance, of very great length, against the proposed 
instalment. The two principal objections were, " 1. That 
a religious teacher or pastor cannot be called and settled 
over this church and parish, without the joint concurrence 
of each body, expressed by a separate vote. 2. That the 
Rev. Charles Robinson has never been invited to become 
our pastor by the joint concurrence of the first church 
and parish in Groton." 



MR. ROBINSON INSTALLED AND DISMISSED. 201 

In regard to the first of these points there is no impos- 
sibility in the case, and no ditference between this and 
other parishes and churches, except that if a minister 
should be installed or ordained, without the " joint con- 
currence " of the church and parish, he would not be 
entitled to the proceeds of Groton ministerial fund, but 
must look for his support from his people, as will more 
fully appear in the chapter in relation to said fund. And 
as to the second point, the proceedings before related 
entirely contradict it. 

The remonstrants proceeded at great length to sub- 
stantiate these points with a variety of statements, but 
were unable to convince the council of the truth of the 
last ; so whether the first were true or false was not 
material. The Rev. Charles Robinson was, therefore, ori 
the first day of November, 1826, duly installed minister 
of the town or first parish in Groton, and pastor of the 
church thereof On the same day the seceders kept a 
fast and attended religious exercises at the house of Dr. 
Chaplin. A settlement of two hundred dollars, and an 
annual salary of seven hundred dollars, payable quarter- 
yearly, were voted by the town to Mr. Robinson, and in 
the contract was the condition, that after the expiration of 
five years, if the town or parish should vote by a majority 
of two-thirds to dismiss Mr. Robinson, and give him 
notice thereof in writing ; or if the said Robinson should 
wish to be dismissed, and'give notice thereof in writing, 
in either case the contract and relation between the town 
or parish and said Robinson should cease. 

The connection between the church, the parish, and 
the Rev. Mr. Robinson, subsisted with much harmony for 
the space of about fourteen years, when he gave notice of 
his desire to be dismissed. His contract and connection 
accordingly ceased in September, 1838. 

The Rev. Charles Robinson was born at Exeter, New 
Hampshire, July 25, 1793 ; prepared for college at 
26 



202 MR. WELLS INSTALLED. 

Phillips academy at Exeter; graduated at Harvard 
college, 1818 ; studied theology in the same place ; and 
was ordained at Eastport, Maine, October, 1822, where he 
remained two and a half years. After his dismission at 
Groton, he was installed at Medfield, Massachusetts, 
where he still resides. During his residence in Groton, 
(1827,) he married Jane, the only daughter of Stuart J. 
Park, Esq., by whom he had one child, who died in 
infancy; his wife died soon after. He afterwards (1830) 
married Diantha, daughter of John Prentiss, Esq., of 
Keene, New Hampshire, who died. May, 1843 ; and he 
has since married Sally Cotton, of Boylston, by whom 
he had one child, lately deceased. During Mr. Robin- 
son's ministry at Groton, sixty-four persons, eighteen 
males and forty-six females, were added to the church. 
Complete records of baptisms are not found. The num- 
ber of marriages was eighty-nine. 

October 6, 183* The church unanimously made 
choice of the Rev. George W. Wells of Kennebunk, 
Maine, to be their pastor ; and the first parish, on the 
eighth day of the same month, by vote of sixty-nine to 
fifteen, voted to invite him to become their minister, with 
a salary of eight hundred dollars per annum, payable 
quarterly, in four equal instalments. To these invitations 
and proposals Mr. Wells gave an affirmative answer, and 
he was installed, Nov. 21, 183e, having been previously 
ordained at Kennebunk. 

During the short period of Mr. Wells' ministry, thirty- 
two persons, eight males and twenty-four females, were 
added to the church, and twenty-five couples were joined 
by him in marriage. 

The following short extracts are from a memoir written 
by one who well knew him, and who has well delineated 
his character : 

" George Wads worth Wells was born in Boston, Octo- 



NOTICE OF MR. WELLS. 203 

ber, 1804 ; was entered at college in Harvard University, 
1819; was graduated in 1823; and pursued theological 
studies at Cambridge in the divinity school the usual term 
of three years. Before being regularly established, he 
preached a while in Boston and Baltimore ; after which 
he was happily settled in Keiniebunk, Maine, in October, 
1827, where he remained eleven years. His health, never 
very robust, at length decidedly failing in the severe 
climate and bleak exposure of the coast, on which that 
town lies, he was obliged to seek a milder sky, and 
preached successfully one winter in Savannah, Georgia. 
Somewhat recruited, he hoped to be able to endure again 
the rigors of a northern winter ; but he was nrged by 
advice to which he could not be deaf, to leave Kenne- 
bunk, which he did with unspeakable regret. In No- 
vember, 1838, he was installed in Groton, where he 
ministered with great acceptance and success. But again 
his health broke under the arduous trials of the profession, 
made doubly hard and exhausting by liis ardent spirit and 
indefatigable perseverance. He preached for the last 
time on the first Sabbath in February. He died Friday 
morning, March 17, 1843, in the thirty-ninth year of his 
age ; and from childhood till that time, it can be said of him 
without doubt or misgiving, as strongly as of any one, 
that he led a pure and blameless life. It falls not to a 
man to be sinless ; but we know of nothing in his whole 
career which his friends' would desire to forget, or need 
to cover with any mantle of charitable construction. 
In very early life he was distinguished for his love of 
truth, for the early development of religious faith, and a 
moral fortitude. He passed through every study, grade 
and station with honor, till he became an ambassador for 
Christ ; in which capacity he has throughout been 
remarkable for the depth and gravity, and a certain tone 
of reality, with which he brought personally home to each 
hearer's mind the several themes of his address. The 



204 MR, SMITH ORDAINED. MR. TODD ORDAINED. 

chief quality of his style was a hortatory reasoning, at 
once moving and convincing. . . . His most conspicuous 
trait " — " was humility ; and by this we mean, not so much 
a feeling of self-distrust, (for he respected and relied upon 
the powers God had given him,) as an absence of all pre- 
tension and self-exaltation. He set up no claim. He 
thrust in no interference. He invaded no man's place or 
right. He envied no man's distinction. He craved no 
man's praise. . . . Truly he had studied the character 
of Him who was meek and lowly in heart, and gained 
the fundamental qualification of a Christian minister, by 
being a Christian." 

Mr. Wells married Lucia G. Fairfield, of Boston, by 
whom he had two sons and a daughter, who all survive 
him. 

On the 28th day of May, 1843, the church unanimously 
made choice of Mr. Joseph Couch Smith to be their 
pastor ; on the next day the parish chose him for their 
minister. He was accordingly ordained, July 12, 1843, 
and remains the settled minister to this time, 1847. He 
married Augusta H. Lord, of Kennebunk, who died in 
June, 1844 ; and he has since married Margaret A. Brig- 
ham, of Groton. 

The seceders from the first parish in Groton having 
built a house of worship, as ha^ been stated in the pre- 
ceding chapter, invited Mr. John Todd to become their 
minister and pastor, and he accepted the invitation. On 
the third day of January, 1827, the day on which the 
house of worship was dedicated to that service, Mr. Todd 
was ordained to the pastoral charge of the " Union 
church," so denominated, which, consisting of thirty 
members, had been organized, November 21, 1826. This 
society has more than once been legally organized, under 
the provision of the statute for that purpose, and again 



MR. KITTBEDGE ORDAINED AND DISMISSED. 205 

dissolved ; the church, in the meantime, when there was 
no parish, undertaking to manage the parochial, as well as 
ecclesiastical, affairs. The reason of such procedure 
seems to have been, if we judge of motives by actions, 
that the members might use the inconsistent privilege of 
voting and acting in a religious society, where they did 
not worship. 

The Rev. Mr. Todd was born at Bennington, Vermont ; 
graduated at Yale College, 1822 ; studied theology at An- 
dover in the class of 1825. He married Mary S. Brace, 
the daughter of the Rev. Joab Brace, of Wethersfield, 
Connecticut. He continued in his charge over the Union 
society till January 8, 1833, when he was dismissed at 
his own request. He has since been installed and re- 
installed ; first over the Edwards church at Northampton, 
January 30, 1833 ; at Philadelphia, November 17, 1836 ; 
and he is now the pastor of a church in Pittsfield, Mass. 
During his ministry one hundred and thirty-three mem- 
bers were admitted to the Union church. 

The Rev. Charles B. Kittredge was the second pastor of 
the Union church. He was born at Mount Vernon, New 
Hampshire, July 4, 1806 ; graduated at Dartmouth Col- 
lege, 1828 ; studied theology at Andover ; ordained Octo- 
ber 15, 1833. The time of his ministry here was short. 
He was dismissed August 31, 1835, and has since been 
installed at Westboro', Massachusetts, February 8, 1837; 
and at Monson, Massachusetts, October 21, 1846, as col- 
league pastor with Rev. Dr. Ely. Twenty-two were ad- 
mitted members of the church during his ministry. 

The Rev. Dudley Phelps is the third and present pas- 
tor of the Union ciiurch. He was born at Hebron, Con- 
necticut, January 25, 1798 ; graduated at Yale College, 
1823 ; studied theology at Andover, class of 1827 ; or- 
daiued over the first parish in Haverhill, January 9, 1828; 



206 MR. PHELPS INSTALLED. BAPTISTS. 

dismissed August 28, 1S33, and installed at Groton, Octo- 
ber 19, 1836. 

The deacons of the Union church are, Walter Dickson 
and Isaiah Cragin, chosen November 19, 1836 ; Jonathan 
S. Adams, Curtis Lawrence and Charles Dickson, chosen 
January 16, 1840. Charles Dickson resigned 1847. 

No regular organization of a third religious society in 
Groton was had until November 7, 1831, when fifteen 
individuals, of the Baptist denomination, formed them- 
selves into a society, and chose parish officers. They 
had hitherto been too small in number to support constant 
preaching, but at this time they voted to have preaching 
one-third of the time, on Sabbaths, to the then next 
April. Capt. Josiah Clark, one of the members, gene- 
rously gave them the use of his commodious hall, in the 
centre of the town, and the Rev. Amasa Sanderson 
engaged to preach to them during that time. At the 
annual meeting of the society in March, 1832, the sum 
of four hundred dollars was voted to be raised, and 
hopes were entertained of an addition thereto, from for- 
eign aid, for the support of preaching the ensuing year. 
Again, the Rev. Mr. Sanderson, upon an invitation of 
the society, consented to supply for that year, and for that 
sum. 

December 5, 1832, an ecclesiastical council was held 
for the purpose, and a church, composed of eleven males 
and eighteen females, was duly organized. The church 
and society from this time gradually increased in num- 
bers and strength ; yet the struggle was long and arduous 
before they could build themselves a house for worship, 
and support a constant administration of Christian ordi- 
nances. Their patient and persevering pastor continued 
to supply the desk in the years from 1834 to 1837, par- 
tially, and afterwards constantly, except for short intervals 
of sickness, till May, 1843, when, from feeble health, he 



REV. MESSRS. SANDERSON, PINNEY, HOLMES. 207 

resigned his charge. The society had been enabled in 
the mean time to build a neat and commodious house for 
worship, as stated in the preceding chapter. 

The Rev. Amasa Sanderson was born, April 16, 1797, 
at Gardiner, Maine, but his father dying in the son's early 
childhood, he was removed to Weston, Massachusetts. 
He began his preparatory studies for the ministry in De- 
cember, 1816, under the private tuition of the Rev. and 
Hon. Charles Train, of Framingham. He was ordained 
pastor over the Baptist church and society in Littleton, 
July 9, 1823, in which charge he remained till April, 
1831, when he resigned. He lives still in Groton, in 
peaceful retirement. 

The number of church members during his administra- 
tion was eighty-seven ; forty-five of whom were added 
by baptism. The whole number dismissed, or otherwise 
removed, was twenty-three ; leaving in the church, at the 
close of his ministry, sixty-four. 

The Rev. Alfred Pinney, from Auburn, in the State of 
New York, was the second minister of the Baptist society 
in Groton. He was invited and took the charge in 
August, 1843, and continued in it one year only. During 
his ministry, eight members were added to the church, 
and sixteen were dismissed or otherwise removed. 

The Rev. Lewis Holmes is the third and present pastor 
of the Baptist church. He was born at Plymouth, Mass., 
April 12, 1813; graduated at Waterville College, 1840; 
first ordained and settled over the Baptist church and so- 
ciety in Edgarton, Massachusetts, January 10, 1841 ; 
accepted the pastoral charge of the Baptist church in 
Groton, May, 1845. 



CHAPTER X. 

Groton Ministerial Fund — Donation of Shadrach Whitney — Of Josiah 
Sartell, Esq. — Incorporation of the Trustees — Sale of Farms — 
Donations of the first parish — Suit by an heir of Col. Sartell — 
Attempts to divide or misapply the Fund. 

Mr. Shadrach Whitney, an inhabitant of Groton, 
(probably a bachelor, as he makes no provision for 
wife or children,) made his will July 20, 1764, which 
was proved, approved and allowed August 14th of the 
same year, and in which, after making several devises 
and bequests to relatives and friends, made the following 
to the town of Groton : 

" My will is, and I do hereby give and bequeath to the 
town of Groton the sum of forty pounds to be paid by my 
executor, hereafter named, within two years after my de- 
cease, to be improved for their use forever hereafter, in 
manner following, viz., for the said town to let out said 
money upon interest, in such way and manner as, they 
shall think fit, so that the interest thereof may be improved 
and applied for and towards the support of the ordained 
minister of the town of Groton, from time to time, forever 
hereafter." 

On the third day of September, 1775, Josiah Sartell, 
Esq., of Groton, possessed of a large estate, made his last 
will and testament, in which, after amply providing for 
his wife Mary, and making large bequests to sundry 



COL. JOSIAH SARTELL's WILL. 209 

relations and friends, and for charitable purposes, he gives 
to the town of Groton as follows, viz. : 

"My will is, and I do hereby give and bequeath to the 
town of Groton, forever, the annual income or rents of 
that piece of land in said Groton, where John Archibald 
now dwells, to be applied towards the support of the 
gospel minister in said town. 

" My will is, and I do hereby give and bequeath to the 
town of Groton the sum of one hundred and thirty-three 
pounds six shillings and eightpence, the interest of which, 
one year after my decease, to be annually applied towards 
the support of a gospel minister in said town for ever. 

'^ My will is, and I do hereby give and bequeath to 
the town of Groton for ever, (after the decease of my 
wife,) all the buildings and lands which I have heretofore 
given her during life, [two farms,] to use and improve for 
ever ; and positively order, that the same be not sold, but 
that they be rented out, and the premises kept in good 
repair forever hereafter, and that the overplus of the rents 
be annually applied towards the support of the gospel 
minister in said town ; and this to be under the inspection 
and direction of the three senior selectmen by choice in 
said town for ever." 

After the execution of his will, Col. Sartell was not 
satisfied with the preaching of the Rev. D. Chaplin, the 
settled minister of the town. He was one of the prin- 
cipal men, and a leader of those who separated from the 
town, and formed the Presbyterian society. He aided in 
building their meeting-house and in providing preaching 
therein, but died previous to their incorporation. It is a 
reasonable supposition, therefore, that had he made his 
will at a later period, or had taken an opportunity to alter 
it, he would have provided for the minister of that parish, 
rather than that of the first parish. He was probably 
waiting for its incorporation. The will was presented to 
the Supreme Judicial Court, for probate, (Hon. Q. Pres- 
27 



210 TRUSTEES INCOhPORATED. 

cott, one of the executors, being Judge of Probate for the 
county of Middlesex,) at Salem, November, 1784; and in 
April, 1785, at Concord, a trial was had thereon ; Natha- 
niel Sartell of Pepperell, and Josiah Prentice of Grafton, 
heirs at law of the testator, opposed the probate thereof 
on two grounds ; first, that the testator was insane at the 
time of its execution ; second, that three clauses therein had 
been cancelled after its execution, which, it was contended, 
rendered the whole void. The Court, however, after 
hearing the case, decided, that the testator was sane, and 
that the cancelling made void only tlie cancelled clauses. 
The will was consequently approved and allowed. His 
widow, Mary Sartell, died March 30, 1790, whereupon 
the lands devised to the town, as above recited, came into 
possession, and for a number of years were rented by the 
three senior selectmen, according to the provision of 
the will. 

It was foin:id upon trial, that the farms under lease 
became deteriorated, that a large proportion of the rents 
must annually be applied to keeping in repair the fences 
and buildhigs, and that the " overplus of the rents " was 
consequently very small. 

Upon application of the first parish, the General Court, 
February 21, 1804, passed an act incorporating the three 
senior selectmen by choice, the treasurer of the first 
parish, and the junior deacon by age of the church in 
said parish, all for the time being, by the .name and style 
of "The Trustees of Groton Ministerial Fund," with the 
customary powers and privileges of similar corporations. 
They are empowered by said act " to take, have, hold, 
use, improve and manage any estate real or personal, the 
annual income whereof shall not exceed two thousand 
dollars, in trust for the support and maintainance of the 
gospel ministry in said parish ; and wlienever the net 
annual income or interest of such fund or estate shall 
amount to the sum of six hundred dollars, and not before, 



FARMS SOLD. 211 

the said trustees shall proceed to pay the same quarterly 
to such teacher or teachers of religion as shall be regu- 
larly ordained and settled in said parish, by the joint 
concurrence of the inhabitants and church thereof" The 
trustees, however, received no funds to manage till 
March 12, 18i:i 

May 1, 1809, the inhabitants of the town voted unani- 
mously to make sale of the lands given by the late Josiah 
Sartell, Esq., deceased, for the support of a gospel 
minister, and to pay over and deliver the proceeds of the 
sales to the trustees of Groton ministerial fund, and chose 
a committee and empowered them to perform that service. 

To obviate all scruples about the right of the town to 
sell said lands, v/hen in the will the devisor had expressly 
ordered that they should not be sold, application was 
made to the General Court to pass an act authorising such 
sales. 

February 27, 1811, an act was accordingly passed, by 
which the inhabitants of Groton were "fully empowered 
to sell, and execute a deed or deeds by a committee of 
three persons, or any two of them, to convey the whole 
or any part of the real estate devised to the said inhabit- 
ants by the last will and testament of Josiah Sawtell,' 
Esq., late of said Groton, deceased, for the support of a 
gospel minister in said town, and the proceeds of any 
such sales shall be paid over to the trustees of Groton 
ministerial fund, and be denominated. The Sawtell^ dona- 
tion for the support of a gospel minister in the first parish 
in Groton. Under this authority the Committee pro- 
ceeded and sold the two farms mentioned above, for the 
sum of four thousand dollars,^ which they paid over to 



' A mistake in tlie orthography of this name in the statute, is much 
regretted. Th? families of Sartells and Sawtells are distinct Col. .Fosiah 
always, in the will and elsewhere, spelt the name Sartell. 

* The sale was made in the following manner: The farms were advertised 
for sale at public auction; and at the time and place of sale, Mr. Winslow 



212 FUND ESTABLISHED AND INCREASED. 

the trustees, who held their first meeting and organized 
June 13th, 1812. Soon after, the Archibald land was 
also sold for about the sum of five hundred dollars, which 
was also paid over to said trustees. The pecuniary legacy 
was not received for want of sufficient estate. 

About the same time the first parish appropriated the 
sum of fifteen hundred dollars for the purpose of increas- 
ing the fund ; and the legacy of Mr. Shadrach Whitney, 
abovementioned, with several years' interest, was also put 
into the hands of the trustees ; and the parish, December 
2, 1814, further granted the proceeds of the sale of six 
pews in the meeting-house, amounting to five hundred 
and thirty-eight dollars. 

These several sums were loaned upon interest lyylll^" 
trustees, and securities taken, as the trustees are obliged 
by their act of incorporation, by mortgages upon real 
estate of three times the value of the sums loaned ; and 
the interest being annually added to the principal, the 
fund rose to the amount of ten thousand dollars and 
upwards, yielding an annual income of six hundred 
dollars by the middle of the year 1820. 

The Presbyterian society having for a long time ceased 
to act as a parish, and but very few of its members being 
alive and resident in Groton, the first parish, October 25, 
1819, voted, "that the distinction or name of first parish 
be discontinued from and after the first Monday of April 



Parker offered four thousand dollars for them, which was the highest bid 
made, and they were struck off to him. But being unwilling or unable to 
comply with the conditions of sale, the conveyance was not made. Where- 
upon Mr. Job Shattuck, junior, proposed to the town to take a deed of the 
farms at the sum bid by Mr. Parker, and pay for them by supporting the 
town's paupers for the term of five yearSc To this proposition the town 
assented, and ordered their treasurer to give his note to the trustees of Groton 
ministerial fund, for the sum of four thousand dollars, to be paid in five equal 
annual instalments. This arrangement was carried into complete operation. 
Mr. Shattuck supported the poor for the term agreed upon, and the town 
treasurer's note was paid with interest, according to its tenor. 



AMOUNT OF THE FUNDS. 213 

next." After payment of all debts of the parish, the 
balance left in the treasury, being $994 66, was transferred 
to the ministerial fund. 

From the 7th of July, 1820, the trustees commenced 
paying the income to the settled minister, in quarterly 
instalments, according to the provision of the statute ; 
since which time the fund has received no additions, 
except the interest accruing thereon while there has been 
no regularly ordained or settled minister in the first parish. 
The amount of interest added, accruing between the Rev. 
Dr. Chaplin's ceasing to officiate, and the installation of 
the Rev. C. Robinson, was f 500 ; between the dismission 
of the Rev. C. Robinson and the installation of the Rev. 
U*'" 0\tdi\iM W. Wells, $100; and from the death of Mr. 
WellsUo the ordination of the Rev. Joseph C Smith, 
$200. So that the principal of the fund now loaned 
upon interest is $11,750. That part thereof denominated 
the Sawtell donation, &.C., is $9,121; Mr. Whitney's 
donation is $268 26 ; and what has been given by the 
parish $2,360 74. 

After the Union church and society had been organized, 
it was deemed proper, that an alteration should be made 
in that part of the statute which designates who shall be 
trustees. For reasons set forth therein, the trustees pre- 
ferred the following petition to the Legislature : 

" To the Honorable Senate and House of Representa- 
tives of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in General 
Court assembled, on the first Wednesday of January, 
A. D. 1832, respectfully shews — 

" The Petition of Caleb Butler, Benjamin Moors, and 
John Boynton, the three senior selectmen by choice 
of the town of Groton in the county of Middlesex, 
Calvin Boynton, treasurer of the first parish in said 
Groton, and Stuart J. Park, junior deacon by age of the 
church in said parish, that by the statute of said Com- 



214 ALTERATION IN THE ACT. 

monwealth of 1803, chap. 86, sec. 1, your petitioners, in 
their said capacities, constitute a hody politic and cor- 
porate by the name of The Trustees of Groton Minis- 
terial Fund ; that said town of Groton, in its municipal 
capacity, is not interested in the funds held and managed 
by said trustees ; that the three senior selectmen of said 
town, if not elected from the members of said first parish, 
on becoming trustees of said fund, are subject to duties 
and liabilities which may be to them exceptionable and 
unreasonable, and having no pecuniary interest therein, 
may not have so strong an inducement to care and 
fidelity in office ; wlierefore your petitioners pray, that 
said statute may be so modified by an additional act, that 
instead of the three senior selectmen of said town, three* **' 
persons to be annually elected by ballot by the inhabit- 
ants of said first parish, in the month of March or April, 
shall, with said parish treasurer and junior deacon, con- 
stitute The Trustees of Groton. Ministerial Fund.^^ 

The town by vote assented to such alteration, and the 
Legislature passed an act granting the prayer of the 
petition. 

The trustees, according to the statute by which they 
we 2 incorporated, keep the fund constantly loaned upon 
interest, in manner as before stated, and pay the interest 
to t1ie ordained minister of the parish in four quarterly 
equal instalments, and make annual reports of their 
doings and a statement of the condition of the fund, to 
the parish, naming therein the several donors and the 
limitations in the terms of the donations. 

Soon after the secession of those who formed the 
Union church and society, an heir at law of Josiah 
Sartell, Esq.,^ made an entry upon the land devised to 
the town, and sold as before stated, and commenced an 

3 William Brighain and Sarah his wife in her right commenced the suit. 



ATTEMPT TO DIVIDE OR MISAPPLY FUNDS. 215 

action of ejectment against Samson Shattuck, the tenant 
in possession, on supposition of a forfeiture by sale or 
otherwise. Mr. Shattuck gave notice of the suit to the 
town, and a committee was chosen to defend. After 
much time and expense to both parties, in preparation for 
trial, a decision was made by the judges of the Supreme 
Judicial Court, which, however, did not meet .the sup- 
posed merits of the case, whether or not there had been 
a forfeiture ; but only, that in case of a forfeiture, the 
lands would revert to the residuary legatees, and not to 
the heirs at law. 

At a meeting of the second parish or Union Orthodox 
Society, February 4, 1833, it was voted, " to discontinue 
and dissolve said parish, and to return the names of the 
several individuals belonging to said parish to the clerk of 
the first parish," which being ninety-six in number, were 
so returned ; and afterwards these individuals claimed the 
right to vote in the first parish, although they continued 
to worship and maintain preaching in the Union meeting- 
house, as heretofore. And on the fourth day of May, 
1835, a meeting of the first parish was held at the special 
request of fourteen voters, to act on the following article, 
viz. "To see if the parish will agree to divide the minis- 
terial fund, and to instruct the trustees to make arran_e- 
ments to pay it over in equal shares to each of the legal 
voters of the parish." Preposterous and absurd as such 
vote would have been, 114 out of 272, those whose 
names had been returned as abovementioned being per- 
mitted to vote, (whether legally or not was not worth 
while to inquire, as no vote of the parish could control 
the trustees,) were found in favor of acting in the matter. 
About the same time much conversation was had on 
dividing the fund, or appropriating its proceeds to other 
purposes than the support of the gospel ministry ; and 
even the opinions of counsel esteemed eminent were 
asked, on the feasibility or possibility of dividing it, or 



216 STABILITY AND USEFULNESS OF THE FUND. 

diverting it from its originally intended purpose. It 
seems now, however, to be conceded, that so far as human 
ingenuity can effect it, the fund is placed beyond the reach 
of that malevolence, which would either divide, destroy, or 
divert it from its legal, just and appropriate usefulness. 
Indeed, so safely is it guarded by legal enactments, and so 
severe are the penalties imposed upon the trustees for any 
mismanagement or dereliction of duty, that it would seem 
nothing short of entire destitution, not only of common 
honesty and integrity, but also of all pecuniary worth in 
each and all of the trustees, or of a total prostration of our 
present institutions, moral, legal and politic, can prevent 
its permanency and appropriate application. 

This fund, under the present condition of parishes, 
when every one can at pleasure absolve himself from all 
legal obligation to assist in support of the ministry of the 
gospel, promises a permanent supply to the parish, with- 
out burdensome taxation, although it should be reduced 
to few in number. Its income now nearly pays the 
minister's salary, and the time may come, after a few 
more vacancies of an ordained minister, or some bene- 
volent donation, when it will afford a generous salary, 
and no assessments will be necessary, except for ordinary 
parochial charges. 



CHAPTER XL 

Schools aud education — First votes about schools — School house — 
Town indicted — School bill — Petition for grant of land — Schools 
kept in several angles — Grammar school in four places — Town 
again indicted — Children numbered — Town again indicted — Dis- 
tricts formed — A better system adopted — By-laws adopted and 
altered — First library — Second library — United — First parish li- 
brary — Groton Lyceum — Groton Academy — Association — Sub- 
scribers — Incorporation — List of trustees — List of preceptors — 
Embarassments — Grant of lands — Sale and relief from debts — 
Small donations — Mrs. Brazer's bequest — Generous donations of 
William and Amos Lav/rence — Change of corporate name — 
Further donations — Future prospects. 

The first allusion in the town records to a school, or 
any measures to instruct youth, is the second article in 
the instructions given to the selectmen, in the year 1G81, 
which is this ; 

" 2. They are to take care that there be a school, or 
college, of learning of children the English tongue to 
read." 

Nothing further on the subject appears till April 21, 
1703, when, at a town meeting, " The town did choose 
Eleazer Parker to discourse John Applin, [Appleton ?J of 
Watertown, to see if he will come up to Groton to keep 
school, to teach children and youth to read and write ,• 
and to know his terms, and bring his terms to the select- 
men, who are empowered by the town to agree with said 
man for one year, 1703." 
28 



21S FIRST SCHOOL-HOUSE — INDICTMi;NT. 

Whether the overtures to John Apphii were such as to 
induce him to come up and keep a school, does not appear 
by any records, and nothing more is said of a school for 
fourteen years after. 

January 25, 1716-17. "Also voted, that they will 
make a school-house of the old meeting-house, to stand 
where the old meeting-house now stands, or near it," 
viz., a few rods north of where school-house No. 14, now 
stands. 

September 30, 1718. " Also voted, that Jonathan Boy- 
den, John Ames and Joseph Lakin be a committee, and 
are fully empowered, to let out the school-house to be 
built at the town's charge, not exceeding twenty pounds 
and the old meeting-house." 

It appears by a petition to the court of general sessions 
of the peace, held second Tuesday of March, 1717-18, 
signed by Simon Stone, John Sheple, Jonathan Boyden, 
Richard Warner and Joseph Lakin as selectmen, that the 
town had been indicted for not having had a school kept 
according to law. The petition sets forth, that there are 
not one hundred families in the town, that the grand jury 
never intended a grammar school, that the town had been 
provided with a school master to teach children to read 
and write according to law ; and, therefore, hope to be 
discharged from presentment. The original petition is 
endorsed thus : " ordered and done." So it is supposed, 
the indictment was not followed by conviction, 

" April 16, 1728, voted, that Benjamin Parker, William 
Lawrence and Samuel Tarbell be a committee, to receive 
of Mr. Nathaniel Sawtell the bell for the school, by him 
presented to the town, and render thanks to him for the 
same, in behalf of the town, and to erect and set up the 
same upon or near our school-house, at the charge of the 
town." 

Nothing further has been learned, either from record or 
tradition, in relation to a school bell. 



PETITION FOR LAND. 219 

" July 23, 1734. The town, taking into consideration 
the obligation they are under, by law of the Province, to 
be continually provided with a grammar school, and their 
poverty and inability to support the same, voted, that 
Benjamin Prescott, Esq., representative in this town, be 
desired and fully empowered, in behalf of the town, to 
prefer a petition to the Great and General Court for a 
tract of land; the profits and produce of which to be ap- 
plied and appropriated for or towards the support of a 
grammar school in this town, and to use his best endeav- 
ors that the same be etfected." 

It is supposed that at the time of this last date, and 
until some time after, there was but one place in the town 
for a school to be kept, and but one school teacher at a 
time. But in 1741, votes were passed to have the school 
kept in five places, six weeks in each place. And in 
1742, seven places for the school were thus designated, 
viz., first, to begin at the school-house on the west side 
the meadow, then at Unkety, then at Eleazer Gilson's, 
then at Hezekiah Sawtell's, then at Nissitissett, then at 
the middle of the town, and then at John Gilson's. 
These locations cannot at this time be precisely pointed 
out. The west side of the meadow, and the middle of 
the town, are sufficiently understood ; Unkety, or Unque- 
tenassett, is the part of Groton set off to Dunstable ; 
Nissitissett to Pepperell, and Hezekiah Sawtell's is known 
to have been where Capt. John Rockwood now lives. 
One of the Gilson's was probably in the east part, and 
the other in the south. 

In 1745, a committee were chosen to consider and re- 
port, concerning the schools, who, at the town meeting 
May 17, 1745, made the following report. 

" The committee appointed to consider where the 
school shall be kept, for the year ensuing, have met and 
taken the affair under consideration, and find it not pos- 
sible to settle it, so that every one may reap an equal 



220 GRAMMAR SCHOOL IN FOUR PLACES. 

benefit ; but are humbly of opinion, that it may be most 
for the advantage of the town, that the school may be 
kept for the year ensuing, in the middle of the town, and 
that all such as live more than two miles, or thereabout, 
shall be so far eased as to embody amongst themselves, 
and upon their employing either a master or school-dame, 
shall draw the whole of what they pay to the school 
rate in said town." 

This report was accepted, and ordered to be recorded. 

May 18, 1748, the town voted, that the grammar 
school should be kept in four places and no more, and 
those who live two miles from the school may have the 
privilege as in 1745. The selectmen to appoint the four 
places. 

In 1748, the town was again indicted for not having a 
grammar school, and WiUiam Lawrence, Esq., was ap- 
pointed agent to defend in the case. 

For several years, about this period, the school was or- 
dered and managed in the same or a similar manner, as 
above stated. 

The sum of money annually expended for the schools, 
at the above dates, does not appear, as it was voted, raised 
and assessed among other town charges ; but in 1752, it 
was separately voted, and the sum for the grammar 
school, no other being mentioned, and probably there 
was no other, was forty pounds. In 1755, the sum 
granted for schools was forty-six pounds thirteen shillings 
and four pence ; twenty-six pounds thirteen shillings 
thereof, to be expended in the middle of the town ; the 
remainder in the " 07it skirts.^' 

In 1758, the sum granted for the grammar school to be 
kept in the middle of the town, was fifty pounds, and 
twenty pounds for reading and writing schools in the 
" several angles of the town," and a committee designated 
the places and apportioned the money. 



CHILDREN FIRST NUMBERED. 221 

The terms " angles, ^^ and " sqiiadrotis" were, for 
many years, used for what we now call school districts. 

The last above recited arrangement for the schools, 
was observed, with some slight variations, for several 
years. One quarter part of the time, the grammar 
school was sometnues kept in the north part of the town, 
and sometimes in the south. Shirley and Pepperell, it 
will be remembered, had been set off as separate districts 
in 1753. The sum annually granted for the support of 
schools rose to seventy-five pounds. In 1760, a school- 
house in the south part of the town was burnt. 

The following article was inserted in the warrant for 
March meeting, 1769 : " To see what allowance the town 
will make such persons as have or may erect school- 
houses in the several angles of the town, &c." But 
nothing was allowed. 

In 1778, a new arrangement of the schools was made, 
as appears by the following votes : 

" Voted, That the children be numbered through the 
town ; males unmarried from four years old to twenty- 
one ; females unmarried from four years old to eighteen ; 
and the whole of the money raised this year for the schools 
to be equally divided upon the polls. A circle one mile 
and a half distance from the school-house in the middle of 
the town, to be reckoned as the middle squadron ; and the 
selectmen to be a committee to proportion the school 
money, and regulate the several squadrons on the out- 
side. 

" Voted, To raise two hundred pounds to be appro- 
priated for the use of schools the ensuing year." At a 
subsequent meeting one hundred pounds more were 
added. 

In 1779, similar votes were passed, and the town was 
again indicted for not having a grammar school according 
to law. In 1780, a grammar school was voted to be kept 
six months in the middle of the town, three months on 



222 NUMBER OF CHILDREN. 

the west side of the river, and three months at the school- 
house at Rocky Hill, in the east part of the town. 

In 1785, a committee having been appointed to report 
on the subject of schools, reported, that the town should 
raise one hundred pounds ; thirty for the grammar school 
in the centre, and seventy for the schools in the several 
angles ; and that there should be two more angles than 
there had been hitherto. The sum of one hundred pounds 
was the usual sum raised for the support of schools for 
several years about this period. 

In 1790, a committee having been appointed to take a 
census of the children, males under twenty-one and 
females under eighteen years of age, reported that there 
were the numbers following in the several districts desig- 
nated thus : 



The Centre District, 


Now Nos. 1 and 14, 


139 children. 


Deacon Farnaworth's 


No. 3, 




68 


Capt. Sheple's 


No. 5, 




57 


Capt. Job Shattuck's 


No. 6, 




52 


Caleb Wood's 


Dunstable, 




62 


James Blood's 


Ditto 




12 


John Sheple's 


Now No. 7, 




28 


Rocky Hill 


No. 8, 




46 


Ephraim Nash's 


Nos. 10, 


13, and 9, 


, 47 


Matthias Farnsworth's 


No. 11, 




46 


Jonas Stone's 


No. 12, 




39 


Major Moor's 


No. 2, 




66 


West side of the river 


No. 4, 




88 



750 

At this time the sum raised for the support of schools 
was one hundred pounds. The grammar school was to 
be kept three months in the centre, two months in each 
of the following districts, viz. Nos. 2, 3, and 5 ; and the 
remainder left to the discretion of the selectmen. About 
this time the term district began to be used instead of 
angle or squadron. 

In September, 1792, a committee having been ap- 
pointed to consider into how many school districts the 



REGULAR DISTRICT AND BY-LAWS. 223 

town ought to be divided, describe their boundaries and 
where the school-houses therein ought to be set, made 
report, that there ought to be twelve districts, and that 
the school-houses should be set in the sites of the present 
school-houses, in the first twelve numerical districts, 
excepting No. 9, and one in what is now a part of Dun- 
stable, near the house of Charles Blood. James Blood 
and a few others in his neighborhood, were allowed to 
spend their proportion of the school tax at their own dis- 
cretion. Another part of the report enjoined it upon all 
the districts to erect school-houses, as soon as might be, at 
the expense of the town. 

This division did not long remain undisturbed, for the 
vote of the town permitted any one to leave his proper 
district and join any other, without a change of residence. 

In 1805, a very large and respectable committee made 
a report on the subject of schools, containing a division of 
the town into twelve districts, numerically distinguished, 
their boundaries plainly defined, and a code of judicious 
by-laws, which were printed for the use of all concerned ; 
so that for the first time something like order and regu- 
larity was introduced into the system. 

These by-laws provided, that the children should be 
annually enumerated in each district, their numbers 
returned by the respective clerks to the selectmen, who 
apportioned the money raised among the districts in pro- 
portion to the number of children therein respectively, 
except that a certain portion was first deducted for the 
grammar school. The sum annually raised at this time 
was one thousand dollars. 

In 1823, No. 10 was divided, making a new district, 
No. 13 ; and in 1828, No. 14 was made from a part of 
No. 1. 

The by-laws remained in force till the statute of 1826, 
chap. 143, passed, when a revision of them was made to 
conform to the statute. No material alteration was made 



224 SCHOLARS AND EXPENDITURE IN 1836-7. 

in the boundaries of the districts or in other parts thereof, 
except Avhat was necessary to conform to the law, and 
one respecting the apportioning of the money raised. 
Instead of dividing the whole according to the number of 
scholars, one Ihird part is first divided equally to each dis- 
trict. The number of scholars in the districts being very 
unequal, some having only about thirty, and others more 
than a hundred, the present distribution cannot be justi- 
fied either as justice, equity, or good policy. As it is 
impossible that all the inhabitants can be equally accom- 
modated by the localities of their school-houses, and as 
some neighborhoods grow more and others less populous, 
changes cannot be avoided. Already dissatisfaction is 
expressed, and measures are in train to increase the 
number of school-houses, already too numerous for pro- 
moting the greatest good at the least expense. 

The following schedule shows the number of scliolars 
and the amount of monies expended in each school 
district in the year 1846-7 : 



1,500 00 raised by the Town. 
) 91 S2 received from the State. 
) 32 00 Sawtell School Fund. 



Sawtell School Fund. 





No. of 


Money 


Districts. 


Scliolnrs. 


expfiiiled. 


No. I. 


97 


174 00 


No. II. 


47 


103 84 


No. III. 


64 


127 70 


No. IV. 


71 


137 52 


No. V. 


68 


133 31 


No. VI. 


3G 


88 41 


No. VII. 


31 


5 81 39 
^32 00 


No.VIII. 


.52 


110 86 


No. IX. 


38 


91 22 


No. X. 


46 


102 44 


No. XI. 


26 


74 38 


No. XII. 


43 


98 23 


No. XIII. 


14 


57 .54 


No. XIV. 


123 


210 48 



756 $1,623 32 $1,623 32 

An act of munificence by one of the wealthy inhabit- 
ants, must not be omitted in this connection. Josiah 



SAWTELL SCHOOL FUND, 225 

Sartell, Esq., by his last will and testament, dated Sept. 
30, 1775, proved, approved and allowed, April, 1785, gave 
and bequeathed to the town of Groton his Hobart Place, 
so called, with the buildings thereon, &c., to be rented 
and kept in good repair forever by the selectmen of 
Groton, " and the overplus of said rents to be annually 
applied for the keeping of a good woman's school for the 
instruction of the youth in said town, and the said school 
to be kept in a part of the dwelling-house standing on 
said farm." 

The selectmen, according to the direction in said will, 
rented said farm for a number of years ; but after making 
repairs and paying expenses, the "overplus of rents" 
being of small amount, leave was obtained, by an act of 
the General Court, to sell said place, and put the proceeds 
out at interest, and have the interest thereof annually 
applied to the support of a woman's school in the district 
in which such farm was situated, viz. No. 7. The lands 
were sold for $620, and that sum is vested where it yields 
six per cent, per annum, and the same is annually expended 
in supporting a woman's school in said district, which 
receives its due proportion of the school tax, in addition 
thereto. The fund is placed under the superintendence 
of the trustees of Groton Ministerial Fund, and is called 
" The Sawtell* School Fund." 

About the year 1796, a number of individuals associated 
for the purpose of establishing a Social Library. What the 
number of the associates was, or of the books with which 
they commenced, is not now known ; but they both must 
have been very small, for in the year 1810, when they 
assumed a corporate form under the statute of March 3, 
1798, there were less than forty members, and only one 
hundred and thirty volumes. This association never 
after received any material increase of members or addi- 
tion to their books. 

* See Note 1, of chapter X. page 211. 

29 



226 SOCIAL LIBRARIES. 

In the year 1828, a second social library association 
was formed, and a subscription for the purchase of books 
made, which amounted to about $185. Of this sum 
Luther Lawrence, Esq., and his four brothers, though not 
at the time residents in Groton, contributed about one 
half. The selection of books for this library was judi- 
cious, embracing more modern publications, and those 
better adapted to the taste and instruction of readers 
generally, than those of the first library. 

The proprietors of the second were mostly proprietors 
of the first also ; and the natural consequence was, the 
first was almost entirely neglected, while the second 
received some considerable addition in members and 
volumes. Under these circumstances committees were 
chosen by each association, in 1830, to take measures to 
unite the two. This was harmoniously eflfected, the 
rights and privileges of all to use the books being justly 
and equitably preserved. 

In the year 1841, another motion was made to establish 
a library on a somewhat different foundation. The late 
Rev. George W. Wells, being then the minister of the 
first parish, expressed a desire that there might be a library 
open to all who might usually attend public worship in 
the first parish, and who should be of sufficient age and 
capacity to gain instruction by reading. The Ladies' 
Charitable Society in that parish thereupon proposed to 
appropriate from their funds the sum of one hundred 
dollars for the purpose, provided the same sum in addition 
should be raised and appropriated from other sources. 
The condition was soon complied with, the money raised, 
and the books for the library purchased. These are more 
of a moral, religious and didactic character generally, than 
those of the United Library ; and much interest is taken 
in their reading. The management thereof is conducted 
without the aid or intervention of law, upon a few simple, 
plain and equitable rules. All persons over the age of 



LIBRARIES AND ATHENiEUM. 227 

fourteen years, usually attending public worship in the 
parish meeting-house where the library is kept, have free 
access to it, without fee or payment of any kind. 

Upon the establishment of the Parish Library, the 
United Library, in its turn, became neglected, and all 
interest in its preservation and use ceased. The number 
of its members, from death, removal, forfeiture by non- 
user, and non-payment of assessments, in 1843, was 
reduced to twenty-four ; whereupon the survivors voted 
to sell all old and worn out volumes, broken sets, and 
other useless books, and to present the proceeds of such 
sale, together with all the remaining books, consisting of 
about two hundred and forty volumes, to the parish 
library ; all which was done, pursuant to the vote. 

The parish library, with this addition and its increase 
from subscriptions and donations, now contains about six 
hundred and forty volumes. 

Besides this, each religious society in town has a Sab- 
bath school library, adapted to the capacity of the younger 
portion of the community. 

Several abortive attempts have at several times been 
made to establish a Reading-room in Groton, or some as- 
sociation for the purpose of receiving and diffusing the 
common news of the day, knowledge of passing events, 
improvements in the arts, and the state of literature. 
One of these, brought forth under seemingly favorable 
auspices, and christened " The Groton Athenceum^^'' pro- 
mised a good degree of usefulness, information and enter- 
tainment. But having been born during the antimasonic 
delusion, that plague seized it in infancy ; it struggled a 
few months, gasped and died. Its small estate, without 
legal or equitable administration, passed into the possession 
of those who innoculated it with the malady that caused 
its premature death, and its just debtors were either 
defrauded of their dues or received them from its unfor- 
tunate parent. 



228 



ACADEMY ASSOCIATION. 



After the embarrassments and distresses occasioned by 
the Revolutionary war had passed ; the federal constitu- 
tion had been adopted ; law and order had taken their 
legitimate course ; and commerce, agriculture and manu- 
factures had commenced their prosperous career, the pro- 
motion of education, literature and science, awakened a 
lively interest in the wise, prudent and sagacious portion 
of the community. Education had indeed always been a 
prominent object of attention among the people of New 
England, and neglected only when the calamity of war, 
destruction of commerce, and financial embarrassments, 
prevented its hearty encouragement. 

A number of the people of Groton and the adjoining 
towns, about the year 1792, formed a voluntary associa- 
tion for the purpose of erecting a suitable building and 
supporting an Academy, wherein an education superior to 
what could be attained in the district schools might be 
acquired, and preparation for college obtained. 

The regular records of the association, if indeed any 
were made, have been lost. But from certain letters and 
papers, now in possession of the treasurer of the Lawrence 
Academy at Groton, it appears that the association organ- 
ized on the 27th of April, 1792; chose trustees and cus- 
tomary officers, and procured a subscription for the purpose 
of erecting and finishing an Academy building. They 
denominated a subscription of five pounds currency, the 
least sum received, a share ; ten pounds, two shares, and 
so in proportion. The number of shares taken at that 
meeting, and soon after, as nearly as can be now 
ascertained, was sixty-five. The names of the sub- 
scribers, number of shares, and amount, are stated in the 
following list, taken chiefly from authentic documents. 
With the exception of four, who belonged to Pepperell, 
the subscribers all lived in Groton, and they are all now 
dead. 



INCORPORATION. 



229 



Namea. Shares. 

Hon, Oliver Prescott, 2 

Rev. Daniel Chaplin, 1 

Jepthah Richardson, 2 

Aaron Brown, Esq., 3 

Samuel Lawrence, Esq., 2 

Thomas Bond, 2 

William Swan, 1 

Oliver Prescott, Jr., Esq., 3 

Hon. Timothy Bigelow, 3 

Hon. Samuel Dana, 2 

William Bancroft, 1 

Joseph Moors, Esq., 2 

William Prescott, 2 

Francis Champney, 2 

Samuel Gragg, 1 

Joseph Rock wood, 1 

Samuel Rockwood, 2 

Samuel Hemmenway, 1 

Peletiah Russell, 1 

Thomas Gardner, Esq., 3 

William Nutting, Esq., 1 

Joseph Sawteli, 3d, 1 



Amount, 

£10 

5 
10 
15 
10 
10 

5 
l.'i 
15 
10 

5 
10 
10 
10 

5 

5 
10 

5 

5 
15 

5 

5 



Carried up, 39 195 



Joseph Rockwood, 
Henry Woods, 
James Brazer, Esq., 
John Park, 
Wilder Sheple, 
Levi Kemp, 
Jonas Stone, 
Nehemiah Tarbell, 
Jonathan Keep, 
Nathan Davis, 
Zachariah Fitch, 
Isaiah Hall, 
Isaac Bowers, 
Simeon Gilson, 
Ephraim Lawrence, 
Levi Woods, 
John Bancroft, 
Ezekiel Shattuck, 
Samson Woods, 
Ezra Farnsworth, 
Jonathan Fiske, 



Shares. 

39 
1 
1 
3 
1 
1 
I 
1 
1 
2 
2 
o 



£195 
5 
5 
15 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
10 
10 
10 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 
5 



65 325 



The town of Groton voted to take forty shares, and 
the town treasurer gave his note to William Swan, 
treasurer of the association, for two hundred pounds, to 
pay the same with interest, annually ; on the express 
condition, however, that the principal should never be 
demanded. 

The sum above described, could hardly be thought 
sufficient to procure the erection and finishing of the 
building ; the business was, however, undertaken, and 
the raising took place in November, 1793, and the build- 
ing was finished in the course of the next year. 

A petition to the General Court, for an act of incorpo- 
ration, was granted, and an act incorporating the first 
fifteen named in the following list of trustees, by the 
name of " The Trustees of Groton Academy," passed 
September 25, 1793. 

The following is a list of the trustees, from the time of 
their incorporation, to the present. 



230 



NAMES OF TRUSTEES. 



election. Namea. 

1793, * Hon. Oliver Prescott, 
" * Rev. Daniel Chaplin, 
" * Rev. Zabdiel Adams, 

" * Rev. Phinehas Whitney, 

" * Rev. John BuUard, 

" * Rev. William Emerson, 

" * Hon. Josiah Stearns, 

" * Col. Henry Bloomfield, 

" * Hon. James Winthrop, 

" * Col. Henry Woods, 

" * Maj. Joseph Moors, 

" * Dr. O. Prescott, Jr., Esq., 

" * Hon. Samuel Dana, 

" * Hon. Timothy Bigelow, 

" * Aaron Brown, Esq., 

" * Thomas Gardner, Esq., 

1794, * Samuel Lawrence, Esq., 
" * Hon. James Prescott, 

1795, * James Brazer, Esq., 

1796, * John Brazer, Esq., 

" * Rev. Nathaniel Thayer, 
1799, * Joshua Longley, Esq., 
1801, Rev. David Palmer, 

" * Rev. Stephen Bemis, 
1804, * Samuel Rockwood, 

" Jonas Parker, 
1807, Caleb Butler, Esq., 
1811, * Luther Lawrence, Esq., 

1813, * Rev. Timothy Flint, 

1814, * Hon. Ashael Stearns, 
" Rev. Warren Fay, 

1815, Hon. Samuel Hoar, Jr., 
" Rev. William Bascom, 

1816, Rev. Samuel H. Tolman, 
1820, * Dr. James P. Chaplin, 

" " William F. Brazer, 

" * Hon. Joseph G. Kendall, 

1823, * Rev. James Howe, 

1825, Rev. George Fisher, 

» S. V. S. Wilder, Esq., 

1827, Rev. John Todd, 

" William L. Chaplin, 

" William Hilliard, Esq., 

1830, William J. Hubbard, Esq., 
" Rev. John W. Chickering, 
'• Jonathan S. Adams, Esq., 

1831, Dr. Joshua Green, 

" Dr. Nehemiah Cutter, 

1833, Benjamin M. Farley, Esq., 

" Rev. William M. Rogers, 

" * Rev. James Towner, 

1835, Rev. Leonard Luce, 



Reridence. 


Died, 


reaigned &c. 


Groton, 


1804, 


died. 


li 


1817, 


resigned. 


Lunenburg, 


1801, 


died. 


Shirley, 


1809, 


died. 


Pepperell, 


1821, 


died. 


Harvard, 


1801, 


resigned. 


Lunenburg, 


1811 


vacated. 


Harvard, 


1811, 


vacated. 


Cambridge, 


1796, 


resigned. 


Pepperell, 


1804, 


died. 


Groton, 


1794, 


resigned. 


(( 


1813, 


vacated. 


a 


1794, 


resigned. 


(( 


1813, 


resigned. 


u 


1793, 


resigned. 


(( 


1793, 


resigned. 


(( 


1827, 


resigned. 


Westford, 


1794, 


declined. 


Pepperell, 


1818, 


died. 


Boston, 


1796, 


declined. 


Lancaster, 


1803, 


resigned. 


Shirley, 


1814, 


died. 


Townsend, 


1830, 


resigned. 


Harvard, 


1814, 


vacated. 


Groton, 


1804, 


died. 


Pepperell, 


1835, 


resigned. 


Groton, 


1836, 


resigned. 


(( 


1839, 


died. 


Lunenburg, 


1814, 


declined. 


Cambridge, 


1814, 


declined. 


Harvard, 


1830, 


resigned. 


Concord, 


1815, 


declined. 


Leominster, 


1826, 


resigned. 


Dunstable, 


1840, 


resigned. 


Cambridge, 


18.30, 


died. 


Groton, 


1835, 


died. 


Leominster, 


1833, 


resigned. 


Pepperell, 


1840, 


died. 


Harvard. 






Bolton, 


18a3, 


resigned. 


Groton, 


1837, 


resigned. 


(( 


1831, 


resigned. 


Cambridge, 


1831, 


resigned. 


Boston, 


1831, 


resigned. 


Bolton, 


1835, 


resigned. 


Groton. 






Pepperell. 






HoUis, N. H. 


1843, 


reaigned. 


Townsend, 


1840, 


resigned. 


Groton, 


1835, 


resigned. 


Westford. 







NAMES OF INSTRUCTORS. 



231 



Time of 
election. 


Namei. 


Reaidence. 


Died, resiened, &e. 


1835, 


Rev. Hope Brown, 


Shirley. 


1846, 


resigned. 


(( 


John Peabody, 


Groton. 






1836, 


Dr. Augustus Robbins, 


Harvard. 






(( 


George F. Farley, Esq., 


Groton. 






1837, 


Rev. Dudley Phelps, 


11 






1839, 


Amos A. Lawrence, Esq., 


Boston. 






1840, 


Rev. Eli W. Harrington, 


Lunenburg. 






(( 


Dr. Abel H. Wilder, 


Groton, 


1846, 


resigned. 


1841, 


Rev. James E. Bryant, 


Littleton, 


1846, 


resigned 


1844, 


William W. Tucker, 


Boston. 






1846, 


Samuel Lawrence, Esq., 


Lowell. 






(( 


Rev. Luther H. Sheldon, 


Townsend. 






(( 


Henry A. Richards, 


Groton. 







The association, previous to their incorporation and 
legal organization, hired Samuel Holyoke, a graduate at 
Harvard College, 1789, to commence a school in one of 
the district school-houses. He instructed from May 17, 
to October 5, 1793, for the compensation of £26 2s. Sd. 

The trustees, under the act of incorporation, held their 
first meeting October 17, 1793, when a due organization 
took place, and the appropriate officers were chosen. 

Mr. Henry Moor, of Londonderry, New Hampshire, a 
graduate in Dartmouth College, 1793, was engaged as the 
first preceptor, after the Academy was incorporated, and 
he instructed from December 30, 1793, to February 13, 
1796, for the compensation of $745 83. The following 
is a complete list of the preceptors or principal instructors 
from the commencement of the Academy, to the present 
time, 1847. 



Instructors' names. 

* Samuel Holyoke, 

* Henry Moor, 

Rev. Timothy Williams, 

* Hon. Ashael Stearns, 

* Leonard Mellen, 

* Hon. Wm M. Richardson. 
Caleb Butler, Esq., 

Rev. Isaac Jones, 

* Rev. Samuel Woodbury, 

* Rev. Abel Conant, 

* Ephraim Sherman, 
Rev. Eber Child, 
David 0. Allen, 

Hon. Asa F. Lawrence, 



Where hern. 




Where educated. 


Time. 


Salem, 




Harvard Coll 


1793 


Lond'ry.N. 


H., 


Dart. Coll. 


1793-1796 
1797 


Lunenburg, 




Harvard Coll. 


1797 






Harvard Coll. 


1798 


. PeIham,N. 


H 


, Harvard Coll. 


1799-1S02 


Pelham,N. 


H.; 


, Dart. Co!l. 


1802-10, '12-15 


Hopkinton, 




Williams Coll. 


ISM 


Ackw'hjN, 


. H. 


, Dart. Coll. 


1812 


Milford, N. 


H. 


, Dart. Coll. 


1815-1819 


Sudbury, 




Harvard Coll. 


1820-1821 






Dart. Coll. 


1822-1823 
1824 


Groton, 




Harvard Coll. 


1825-1826 



232 A GRANT OF LAND. 



Instructon' niune>. 


Where born. 


Where educated. 


Time. 


Elizur Wright, 




Yale College, 


1827-1828 


* Rev. George Beecher, 


Litchfield, Ct., 


Yale College, 


1829-1830 


*Rev. James Towner, 






1831-1835 


Rev. Horace Henick, 




Dart. Coll. 


1837-1840 


Rev. Ezekiel H. Barstow, 




Dart. Coll. 


1841-1844 


Rev. Moses H. Wells, 




Dart. Coll. 


1845 


Rev. James Means, 


Amherst, N H. 


, Bowdoin Coll. 





At first, the tuition of a pupil was set at one shilling 
per week. The receipts at this rate, as might well be 
supposed, were unequal to the necessary expenditures ; 
and as there was no provision made for the payment of 
the instructors, except the receipts for tuition, they were 
long delayed of full payment for their services. The 
treasurer, having no funds, except the annual payment 
by the town of Groton of forty dollars on their treasurer's 
note, gave his note to preceptors Holyoke, Moor and 
Williams, which were not fully cancelled for several 
years. 

Under this state of embarrassment, the trustees made 
application to the Legislature for a grant of land to aid 
them in supporting the institution committed to their 
trust. Their petition was successful, and on the 27th of 
February, 1797, a grant was made of half a township of 
unlocated land, in the then district of Maine, equal to 
11,520 acres, which being afterwards located, was sold to 
John Hodgden, of Weare, New Hampshire, at fifty cents 
per acre. 

As soon as the proceeds of this sale were received at 
the treasury, which was by several instalments, the cor- 
poration was relieved of its embarrassments, and a per- 
manent fund for the support of instruction was estab- 
lished. The price of tuition, in 1795, was raised to 
twenty cents per week. 

The fund or balance of credit in the treasury, including 
the town's note of $666 67, if the debts had all been paid, 
was the sum of $4,519 86, February 25, 1805. The 
compensation to instructors from 1800, was generally 



PURCHASES AND DONATIONS. 233 

three hundred dollars per annum, together with one 
moiety of the receipts for tuition, for many years succeed- 
ing ; and in 1810, the price of tuition was raised to 
twenty-five cents per week. 

By prudent management of the financial concerns of 
the institution, the fund increased from the sum above- 
mentioned to $8,531 90, in 1826 ; being an increase of 
about two hundred dollars per annum. And during this 
period, the trustees purchased, for the use of the seminary, 
a set of instruments for land surveying, Hadley's quadrant, 
and several mathematical books. A preceptress for the 
instruction of females was first employed in the summers 
of 1807 and 1808. After several intermediate years, one 
was again engaged ; and since, a female department has 
become a permanent regulation.^ 

From the time of the incorporation of the trustees, to 
the year 1826, the donations to the Academy were few 
and inconsiderable. The following votes of the trustees 
will embrace them. 

'* January 20, 1795. At a meeting of the trustees of 
Groton Academy, voted the thanks of the trustees to the 
Hon. Oliver Prescott, Esq., for the donation which he 
has made of a folio Greek Lexicon, a quarto Bible, and 
Blair's Lectures in two volumes ; and to the Hon. James 
Winthrop, Esq, for the donation of Pike's Arithmetic to 
the school. Directed the secretary to present the grati- 
tude of the Board to Judge Winthrop for this liberality to 
the seminary." 

" February 25, 1805. The secretary presented a silver 
seal for the use of the trustees, of an oval figure, with the 
initials, T. G. A., on the surface, and announced that it 
was given to the Board by James Brazer, Esq. 

' Miss Susan Prescott, now the wife of John Wright, Esq , of Lowell, was, 
for a time, the instructress of the female department, and afterwards, the 
principal of a separate school for young ladies, which was very celebrated, 
so long as it was continued. 

30 



234 DANA ESTATE PURCHASED. 

" Voted the thanks of the trustees to James Brazer, 
Esq., for the gift of said seal, and directed the secretary 
to cause an inscription to be engraved on it, purporting 
by whom it was given to the trustees." 

The common adage, that " to he thankful for a little is 
the way to get more,^^ seems to have been verified in the 
case of the trustees. Since 1826, the bequests and be- 
stowments to the seminary have been neither few nor 
small. 

The original trustees, who from small beginnings, had 
by rigid economy and judicious management raised the 
institution to a respectable standing, having all " rested 
from their labors," a somewhat different system of policy 
was introduced, the number of pupils was not uniformly 
so numerous, and the productive funds rather diminished 
than increased for the next succeeding ten years. One 
year, 1835, instruction was entirely suspended. 

At a meeting of the trustees, June 21, 1836, they voted, 
" That it is expedient to purchase a suitable house and 
other real estate for the use of the Academy and the 
accommodation of the preceptor." And they authorized 
the committee of finance to make such purchase. The 
committee thereupon, by purchase and exchange, procured 
the mansion-house formerly of the Hon. Samuel Dana, 
situated between the academy building and the common 
on which the first parish meeting-house stands, for the 
sum of two thousand dollars. This house became the 
residence of the instructors of the Academy till the present 
year, 1847. 

The first considerable endowment which was received 
from an individual was from Mrs. Hannah Brazer, widow 
of James Brazer, Esq., who had been a trustee from 1795 
to 1818. By her last will and testament, made in 1825, 
she bequeathed to the trustees, for the use of the insti- 
tution, the sum of ^500, to be paid to them on the death 
of her brother, Samson Woods, and the same sum on the 



MRS. bkazer's legacy. 235 

death of each of her four sisters respectively ; and also 
made the trustees residuary legatees of one moiety of her 
estate, specific legacies, debts and charges being first paid. 
The testatrix dying soon after the making of her will, and 
her brother Samson having previously died, her executors 
paid to the trustees, as residuary legatees, two hundred 
dollars, and the five hundred dollars payable on the death 
of Samson Woods. Two of the sisters have since died, 
and one thousand dollars thereupon paid into the treasury. 
The action of the trustees, upon this generous legacy, 
appears by the following report of a committee accepted 
and recorded, viz. : 

" The committee appointed by the Board of Trustees, 
at their annual meeting, August, 1826, to prepare some 
suitable notice of a communication of the executors of 
the will of the late Mrs. Hannah Brazer, informing them 
that she had bequeathed to this institution a moiety ^ of 
the remaining estate, after the payment of specified 
legacies, respectfully report — 

" That this Board feel sensibly their obligation for the 
benevolent bequest of the late Mrs. Hannah Brazer to 
this institution, as expressed in her last will ; and it adds 
much to their gratification to know, that this bequest 
accords with the known and expressed wish of her hus- 
band and our associate, James Brazer, Esq. 

"James P. Chaplin, 

" per order of committee. 

"Groton, Aug. 27, 1827." 

' This instance of munificence has been followed by a 
succession of others of greater and more magnificent 



* It will be noticed that this expression does not fully show the nature of 
the legacy ; but the mistake arose from a similar expression and inaccuracy 
in the communication of the executors. 



236 DONATIONS OF AMOS LAWRENCE. 

extent, by two brothers, who in their youth living within 
the sphere of easy access to its usefulness, received the 
rudiments at least of that education which has enabled 
them with persevering and prosperous enterprise to 
become distinguished patrons of their Alma Mater. 

The following copies from the records of the trustees 
will show in some measure the nature and extent of the 
generous bestowments of the two brothers. 

"August 22, 1838. At the annual meeting of the 
trustees of Groton Academy, the following resolution was 
moved and unanimously adopted by the board, to wit: 

" Resolved, That the thanks of this board be presented 
to Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, for his liberal dona- 
tion of books and philosophical apparatus to Groton 
Academy, and that the secretary be requested to transmit 
a copy of this resolution to Mr. Lawrence." 

" At a meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy, 
August 21, 1839. Resolved, That the secretary of this 
board of trustees be directed to repeat the expression of 
their thanks to Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, for the 
repeated instances of his munificence to Groton Academy ; 
and especially for his recent donation of a new and valu- 
able telescope, and of Bowditch's translation of Mechanique 
Celeste, by La Place, in four splendid quarto volumes." 

" Annual meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy, 
August 17, 1842— 

" Rev. Mr. Phelps offered the following preamble and 
resolution, which were unanimously accepted, and the 
secretary directed to transmit a copy of the same to Amos 
Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, viz. : As this institution has 
repeatedly shared in the liberal benefactions of Amos 
Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, and as it has recently received 
from him a donation of two thousand dollars, which has 
enabled the trustees to enlarge the building, to render its 
rooms more convenient and pleasant, and greatly to im- 
prove the adjacent grounds, therefore — 



DONATIONS OF WILLIAM LAWRENCE. 237 

" Resolved, That the thanks of the trustees be pre- 
sented to Mr. Lawrence, for his generous aid in furnishing 
these additional means and facilities for moral and mental 
culture ; with the assurance, on their part, that they are 
deeply sensible to the increased obligation devolving on 
them, to watch carefully over the interests of this Aca- 
demy, arid do as much as in them lies, in order that it 
may meet the expectations of its patrons and friends, and 
be a rich and permanent source of benefit to the com- 
munity." 

" A special meeting of the trustees of Groton Academy 
was held on the 17th of April, 1844, in consequence of 
receiving the following letter from William Lawrence, 
Esq., of Boston: 

" Boston, April 6th, 1844. 
" To the Trustees of Groton Academy. 

" Gentlemen, — Born and educated in Groton, I feel a 
deep interest in its prosperity, and especially in your 
Academy, an institution which my honored father labored 
so hard to bring into existence more than half a century 
ago, and to which I am indebted for what little education 
I possess. 

" Having been highly blessed by God in my temporal 
concerns, 1 have thought I could not better dispose of a 
portion of my abundance, than to give to the Academy 
over which you preside, a sum of money for the advance- 
ment of education for all coming time. 

" I therefore hereby give to Groton Academy the sum 
of ten thousand dollars, and direct that the same shall be 
invested in such manner for the benefit of said corpora- 
tion, as the trustees thereof shall from time to time deem 
safe and expedient ; and that the net income thereof shall 
be applied in their discretion for the maintenance of edu- 
cation in that seminary. I am especially desirous that 



238 CONDITION OF DONATION. 

such compensation shall be paid to the instructors of said 
Academy, as shall secure for it constantly the services of 
learned persons perfectly competent to all their duties. 

'• And this gift is therefore upon condition, that the 
present rate of charge for instruction in said Academy 
shall not be reduced. But whenever hereafter, in any 
year, the whole net income of the present funds and pro- 
perty of said institution, and of the fees received for 
instruction, added to the net income of said ten thousand 
dollars, shall be more than sufficient for the payment of 
liberal salaries to such instructors, so that a balance of said 
income shall remain unexpended, I request the said 
trustees, in their discretion, and if they deem it expe- 
dient, to pay and distribute such balance, or any of it, to 
and among such deserving male pupils in such institution, 
preparing for a collegiate education, as the trustees may 
think deserving of such aid ; but not more than one hun- 
dred dollars shall be paid or allowed to any one such 
pupil in any one year. And in granting such aid, I 
earnestly request, that no regard may be had to any 
sectarian views entertained by the pupils, on the subject 
of the Christian religion. 

" You will please draw on Messrs. Lawrence and Stone, 
Boston, for said sum of ten thousand dollars, in such 
sums and at such times as will suit your convenience. 
" Your obedient Servant, 

"William Lawrence." 

The following resolution was then unanimously 
adopted, to wit : 

" Whereas William Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, by a 
donation of ten thousand dollars to this Academy, has 
laid us, and the community in which we live, under deep 
and lasting obligations to him ; and whereas the respon- 
sibility of this Board is greatly increased by this muni- 
ficent act, therefore — 



CHANGE OF CORPORATE NAME. 239 

" Resolved, That the thanks of this Board be presented 
to Mr. Lawrence, for this noble charity, and for the truly 
liberal conditions on which he has presented it to this 
institution, and that we pledge ourselves to him and the 
public, that we will use our best endeavors to appropriate 
the income of this fund in such manner as to secure the 
object of the donor in the cause of education. 

" Voted, That the portraits or busts of William and 
Amos Lawrence, Esquires, be obtained and placed in the 
Academy, to be preserved as a memorial of those benefac- 
tors of this institution, if those gentlemen will consent to 
sit for the same." 

At the annual meeting of the trustees, holden August 
20, 1845, the principal instructor of the Academy gave 
information to the trustees, that " he had received from 
Amos Lawrence, Esq., of Boston, a box of books, num- 
bering one hundred and sixty volumes, for the library of 
the Academy. And subsequently, from the same benevo- 
lent gentleman, an elegant illustrated copy of Wilkes's 
Exploring Expedition, in five volumes, with an atlas. 
Also, two eight-day clocks, one for the upper and the 
other for the lower room, in the Academy." Whereupon, 
the thanks of the trustees were once more extended to 
Mr. Lawrence. 

At the same meeting of the trustees, a committee was 
chosen to petition the General Court, to change the name 
of the corporation to " The Lawrence Academy at 
Groton." *At the succeeding session of the Legislature, 
the petition was preferred and granted. 

In July, 1846, Amos Lawrence, Esq., whose name has 
already been more than once used as that of a beneficent 
patron of the institution, purchased the Brazer estate, so 
called, being the mansion of the late James Brazer, Esq., 
and adjoining the Academy lot, for the sum of $4,400 ; 
and soon after conveyed the same by deed, to the trustees 
of the Lawrence Academy at Groton. This conveyance 



240 BRAZER ESTATE GIVEN. 

is made upon the following considerations, expressed in 
the deed. " Born and educated in Groton, deeply inter- 
ested in the welfare of that town, and especially of the 
Lawrence Academy established in it by my honored 
father and his worthy associates, and grateful for the 
benefits, which his and their descendants have derived 
from that institution, I am anxious to promote its future 
prosperity ; trusting that those charged with the care and 
superintendence of it, will ever strive zealously and faith- 
fully to maintain it as a nursery of piety and sound learn- 
ing. Therefore, know ye, that the said Amos Lawrence, 
in consideration of the premises, and of one dollar," &c. 
He also requested the trustees to have all the buildings 
and fences upon this estate, put in a state of complete 
repair at his expense. This request has been complied 
with, at an expense of more than $1,200. 

In August, 1846, the trustees received a letter from 
William Lawrence, Esq., the liberal donor of the ten 
thousand dollars, before mentioned, in which he proposed 
to appropriate five thousand dollars to be expended by 
them for the following purposes, viz. 

1. To enlarge the Academy building. 

2. To erect a substantial stone and iron fence on the 
front of the Academy grounds, including the Dana and 
Brazer estates. 

3. To purchase a suitable bell for the institution. 

4. The remainder of the sum, if any, to be added to the 
general fund. 

With this generous appropriation, the trustees have 
enlarged the building to nearly double its former size, 
being now seventy feet in length ; erected a handsome and 
durable fence, of beautiful Fitchburg granite and cast iron, 
three hundred and forty feet in length, in front of the 
buildings ; purchased a bell of five hundred pounds 
weight ; levelled and smoothed the whole surface of the 
grounds, and made suitable "partition fences. 



FUTURE PROSPECTS. 241 

Situated as this institution now is, with its large funds, 
extensive library, handsome philosophical and other ap- 
paratus for instruction, in a flourishing country village of 
more than a hundred fine dwelling-houses, surrounded 
with some of the richest and best cultivated lands in the 
Commonwealth, enjoying an unrivalled western prospect, 
bounded by the grand Monadnock, petit Monadnocks, 
Watatuck and Wachusett, and embracing the smaller 
hills of Mason, Temple, New Ipswich and Ashby, with 
the villages of Ashby, Lunenburg and Shirley in the 
view, it must necessarily, under the prudent and judicious 
management of an efficient board of trustees, and learned 
and well qualified instructors, take an elevated position 
among the seminaries of New Englaad. 



31 



CHAPTER XII. 

Miscellaneous — Topographical Description — Boundaries — Extent — 
Landscape — Water — Minerals, Soil and Productions — Post Office 
— St. Paul's Lodge — St. John's R. A. Chapter— Lodge of L O. of 
O. F. — Common burying ground. — Rural Cemetery — Thaumatur- 
gia pneumatica, or witchcraft — Bounty for killing wolves — Fines 
paid for not serving as constable, swearing, and absence from 
meeting — Lead weights made bullets — Court of Common Pleas. 

Groton, according to its present limits, is bounded 
northwesterly by Pepperell, northerly by Dunstable, 
easterly by Tyngsborough and Westford, southeasterly by 
Littleton, southerly by Harvard, and southwesterly by 
Shirley. No part of the boundary lines coincide with the 
original lines run by Jonathan Danforth, except on 
Townsend and Tyngsborough. Its shape is very irre- 
gular, and its boundary lines numerous, owing to the 
many changes made by setting off parcels to the adjacent 
towns. It contains about 27,350 acres of land, 500 of 
which are covered by water, rivers, ponds and brooks, and 
about the same quantity occupied by highways. Rail- 
roads ^ have taken and are taking up a large quantity. It 



' Fitchburg railroad runs through the southerly part of the town about 
three miles. Worcester and Nashua railroad enters the south-west corner, 
aud runs about nine miles in the limits, passing through the middle. Stoney- 
brook railroad enters at the south-east part, and runs to Fitchburg and Wor- 
cester, crossing about three miles. Shirley and Peterboro' railroad com- 
mences at said crossing and runs to Townsend line, about six miles. Total, 
twenty-oqe miles. 



SURFACE AND SOIL. 243 

is situated north-westerly from Boston, by the commonly 
travelled road about thirty-five miles. ^ 

The most prominent feature in the landscape of Groton, 
viewed from an eminence, is a range of hills scattered 
through the middle from north to south, partly cultivated 
and partly covered with their natural growth of forest 
trees. These hills, with the exception of two or three 
at the southerly part of the town, are arable to their tops, 
and having a fertile soil, their mingled shades of green 
cultivated vegetables and patches of woodland afford a 
beautiful prospect. There is one peculiarity in the forma- 
tion of these hills worthy of notice. They are almost 
invariably double or treble, vallies of greater or less depth 
running between their prominences uniformly from north 
to south. Such as are contained in the above exception 
afford abundance of granite suitable for masonry. Four 
or five of the highest of these hills are from two hundred 
and fifty to two hundred and seventy-five feet above the 
waters of the Nashua. The descent from them to the 
river westerly, being from one to two miles, is undulating, 
gradual, and affording some of the richest and most pro- 
ductive land in the country. The descent eastwardly is 
composed of gravelly knolls and ridges, swamps, bogs, 
and ponds, much inferior in fertility to the western slope. 
On the west side of the Nashua, between Pepperell and 
Shirley, is a large swell rising to the same height as the 
highest hills aforementioned. 

The lands bordering upon Nashua and Squannacook riv- 
ers, are narrow strips of intervale and more extensive sandy 
plains; the former being suitable for the cultivation of Indian 
corn, potatoes and grass, the latter for rye. So that the 
whole town affords all the varieties of soil common in the 
country, from the richest and most productive to the poor- 
est and most barren ; the good land, however, predominates. 

'^ The exact course and distance from the first parish meeting-house to the 
State-house, according to the late trigonometrical survey of the Common- 
wealth, is, S. 56° 34' 20" ; E. 163037.8 = .30 miles 281 rods 1.3 feet. 



244 S^UANNACOOK RIVER — JAMES's BROOK. 

By an inspection of the map it will be seen that Groton 
is abundantly supplied with water. First, the Nashua, 
formerly called Lancaster river, runs through the town 
nearly in the middle, as it existed before its division, from 
south to north, bearing a little easterly, and now forming 
parts of the divisional lines between Groton and Shirley 
and Pepperell, and having one school district of Groton 
on its west side, between Shirley and Pepperell. The 
falls in this river, where within or bounding on Groton, 
sufficient for mill privileges, are but two ; Stoney-wading 
place, where the great county road crosses, and Babbi- 
tassett. The former is occupied by a saw-mill, grist-mill, 
shingle-mill, paper-mill, and carding factory. The latter 
is occupied on the west side in Pepperell. 

Squannacook river, the next stream in size, forms the 
present boundary line between Groton and Shirley, from 
Townsend line to its mouth at the Nashua. This affords 
several sites for mills, three of which are now occupied for 
sawing, grinding, and the manufacture of paper. 

James's brook, formerly the outlet of Martin's pond,'' 
now receiving its waters from Half-moon and Broad 
meadows only, first takes a southerly course from the 
middle of the town, then westerly into the Nashua, near 
the mouth of the Squannacook. On this brook once 
stood a mill, on the land now of Benjamin Moors, The 
name was unquestionably given to it from James Parker, 
who lived near it in the centre of Groton. 

Sandy brook, in the south part of the town, takes its 

3 In a warrant for town meeting, September 17, 1798, is the following arti- 
cle: "Art. 8. To see if the town will order the water running from Martin's 
pond to be turned into the old channel through the town, and to appoint some 
proper person or persons to remove the obstructions and effect the business." 
The record of proceedings under article 8th_is, " Passed in the negative." So 
it seems, that the water from the pond formerly passed through Hog swamp. 
Great Half-moon meadow and Broad meadow, making James's brook a 
much larger stream than it now is. At the present outlet there is an ap- 
pearance of a channel dug through a small ridge of land ; and this channel 
has been lately widened and deepened, so that the pond is much contracted, 
and the surface of the water much lower than formerly. 



I 



SEVERAL BROOKS. 245 

rise from Long pond, runs into Sandy pond, and thence 
south-westerly, meeting the brook from Harvard, on 
which stood Jonas Prescott's " old mill," nearly two cen- 
turies ago, and thence, under the name of Nonacauicus, 
Cauicors or Cauicus, into the Nashua, near the crossing of 
the Fitchburg railroad. On this brook stands C. Fletcher's 
saw-mill, and a grist-mill formerly stood at the Fitchburg 
railroad crossing, but has of late been discontinued. 

The brook now issuing from Martin's pond, takes a 
southeasterly course, meeting another of about the same 
size at school-house No. 9, arising from meadows and 
springs near the middle of the town, runs into Cowpond 
meadows, where it meets another from Indian meadow 
and other low grounds in school district No. 10, and also 
the outlet of Knap's pond, and falls into Whitney's pond. 
Lathrop's mill is on this stream just above its entrance 
into the pond. A short brook from Baddacook or Batta- 
cook pond also falls into Whitney's pond. On this stands 
a grist-mill known as Wood's mill. The brook issuing 
from Whitney's pond is called Cowpond brook ; it empties 
into Massapoag pond on the confines of Dunstable and 
Tyngsborough. A small stream formed from hills on the 
northerly and easterly sides of Chestnut hills, called 
Walnut-run, flows easterly, and meeting with another 
branch called Haw-tree brook, passes through Scull-mea- 
dow, and forms Unquetenassett, or Uncutenorsett as it is 
sometimes written, which runs northerly through that 
part of Dunstable formerly Groton, into Nashua river. 

The situation of the several ponds, and their relative 
sizes, may be better learned by looking on the map, than 
by any description that can easily be given of them. The 
names of the principal are, Sandy, Long, Knap's, Duck, 
which has neither inlet nor outlet, Whitney's, Baddacook 
or Battacook, and Martin's. Three more, part only in 
Groton, are Spectacle, Forge and Massapoag. This last 
merits a more particular notice. Danforth, who surveyed 



246 MASSAPOAG POND. 

and laid out the plantation in 1668, represents it " full of 
small islands." Its area was then equal to a square mile 
or more. Its outlet was on the easterly side, and as it 
was the reservoir into which Cowpond brook poured its 
waters, a considerable mill-stream issued from it. The 
waters passed without any rapids for a considerable dis- 
tance, atfording no favorable site for a mill. The north 
end of the pond was bounded by a ridge of loose sand, 
rising but little above the surface of the water, and being 
about six rods only in width ; on the opposite side of 
which was a descent of about forty feet. Here then, was 
an eligible spot for an overshot mill. At a town meeting 
held May 21, 1688, a grant was made to Samuel Adams 
of a small pond near Buck meadow, and leave given to 
drain it by a brook running into " Tyng's cove." At the 
same meeting, for the encouragement of any who would 
set up iron-works at Massapoag, a grant was offered of the 
wood on the easterly side of Unquetenassett brook. It is 
said, that Adams, who is supposed to have accepted the 
grant, erected a grist-mill at the site abovementioned, con- 
ducting the water across the sand-bank to the flume of 
his mill. At the time of a flood about the year 1700, (the 
precise time is not known,) a breach was made across the 
sand-bank, and it being very loose and moveable, the whole 
bank was soon torn down by the water to the depth of 
more than thirty feet : and consequently a sheet of water 
of that depth, where the pond was so deep, and where of 
less depth the whole water upon the surface, flowed sud- 
denly ofl" (all in one night,) with irresistible violence.'* 
The mill of course was demolished, and the stones, though 
diligently sought for, and even the skill of the famous Moll 
Pitcher, of Lynn, employed in the search, have never 
yet been found. The bottom of the pond being uneven, 

* It is said that Mr. Adams was not at home at the time of the accident; 
that his negro servant saw the first rent made by the water, and afterwards 
said, he could have stopped it with his hat full of sand, but having a grudge 
against his master he permitted the process to go on. 



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SOAP STONE AND IRON ORE. 247 

fish in abundance were left in the cavities, which were 
easily taken, and the inhabitants of the neighboring 
towns, as well as of Groton, came and carried off loads of 
them. Where the water formerly issued from the pond, 
a small brook now runs in, and the outlet is, at the place 
of disruption, called the "gulf." The water finds its 
way into the old channel, two or three miles from the 
pond, in a north-westerly direction from Dunstable meet- 
ing-house. The land left bare by this accident is now 
mostly woodland, on which are oaks and pines two and a 
half feet in diameter. The prevailing growth is white 
pine. Some part is cultivated and some is pasture. 

The artificial prospect of Groton is not inferior in its 
kind to the natural landscape. A view from the hills on 
the east side of the street, on a pleasant summer's morn- 
ing, or from Farmers' row, when the sun is declining in 
the west, having in sight the whole street, three-fourths 
of a mile in length, handsomely studded with neat and 
well painted dwellings, the Lawrence Academy and three 
churches, with stately spires pointing heavenward, is not 
exceeded in beauty by any country village in the Com- 
monwealth. 

In the mineral kingdom, Groton cannot be said to be 
rich. Granite of good quality abounds in the hills in the 
south part, and occasional boulders are found in most parts 
of the town, which can be advantageously used. A 
quarry of soap-stone is wrought to considerable extent, 
situated about one mile and a quarter northerly from the 
village. Iron ore is found in several parts of the town, 
but especially in the north part, and was formerly used by 
a company formed for the purpose of manufacturing it ; 
but the quality proved to be bad, and except for castings 
it has not of late been used. At Massapoag pond, there 
are chalybeate springs, both on the eastern and western 
shores, issuing from the banks near the present surface of 
the water. Houses have been erected on both sides of the 



248 SOIL AND PRODUCTIONS. 

pond, near the springs, for the accommodation of pleasure 
parties and occasional visitors, rather than for invalids. 

Peat or bog meadows, of greater or less extent, are 
found in all parts of the town. Two of the largest, one 
situated on the south-westerly side of the village, and the 
other on the north-easterly side, containing, perhaps, one 
hundred acres each, are in a state of successful cultivation, 
as are also some others in different parts of the town. 
Portions of these meadows were indispensable to every 
first settler's farm, as the principal or only resource for 
food for his cattle. They were, consequently, highly 
estimated, and divided out to the settlers in almost innu- 
merable small lots ; and it is believed, that in the assess- 
ment of taxes, these meadows were rated higher than any 
land of the same quantity.^ For the last century they 
have much depreciated in value, and have become entirely 
useless as mowing ground, being overgrown with weeds, 
bushes, brush-wood and in some instances large trees. 
Draining and cultivation are now necessary to render 
them productive. 

Groton has all varieties of soil, from the richest and 
most productive, to very poor and barren. A portion, of 
about nine square miles in and about the centre, is not 
exceeded in fertility and feasibility in cultivation by any 
in the Commonwealth. There are many detached farms 
in other parts of the town, having good land and poorer 
intermixed, but this tract is wholly and entirely capable of 
the highest state of cultivation, richly recompensing the 
cultivator with abundant crops. The productions are 
principally Indian corn, barley, oats, potatoes and rye, but 
hay is the chief article for the market. Hops were for' 
merly grown in great abundance, but the uncertainty of 
their price, more than the failure of having good crops, 
has discouraged the growers. 

^ On a loose leaf iq the Indian roll, it is said there were more than seven 
hundred acres of taxable meadow in the town. This was about the year 
1680. 



POST-OFFICE. 249 

The best varieties of apples, pears, peaches, cherries, 
plums, &c., are more sought for and cultivated than for- 
merly ; and a surplus of them are carried to the Lowell 
market. 

The natural growths of the forest are chestnut, the 
common varieties of the oak and pine, walnut, maple and 
birch. The chestnut and shagbark walnut are sources of 
profit on many of the farms. 

September 29, 1800, a Post-office was established in 
Groton, and the Hon. Samuel Dana was appointed and 
commissioned the Postmaster. No mail, however, was 
delivered at the office until the last week in November 
following. 

For the first year, or part thereof, the mail from Boston 
was brought to this office by way of Leominster. This 
appears by a letter from the Postmaster General to the 
Postmaster at Groton, dated December 18, 1800, appa- 
rently in answer to a request to have the mail brought 
direct from Boston. In this letter the Postmaster General 
says, " It appears to me, that the arrangement which has 
been made for carrying the mail to Groton is sufficient for 
the accommodation of the inhabitants, as it gives them 
the opportunity of receiving their letters regularly, and 
with dispatch, once a week. The route from Boston, 
by Leominster, to Groton, is only twenty miles farther 
than by the direct route, and the delay of half a day, 
which is occasioned thereby, is not of much conse- 
quence to the inhabitants of Groton. If it should prove 
that Groton produces as much postage as Lancaster and 
Leominster, the new contract for carrying the mail, 
which is to be in operation on the first of October next, 
will be made by Concord and Groton to Walpole, and a 
branch from Concord to Marlborough. 

" I am respectfully, Sir, your obedient servant, 

Jas. Habersham." 
32 



250 POSTMASTER AND REVENUE. 

What faith would James Habersham then have had in 
a prediction, that in less than half a century, accommoda- 
tions not only for conveying a mail, but for an unlimited 
number of passengers and weight of freight, three times 
every day, each way between Boston and Groton, would 
be in operation ? 

The amount of postage, after deducting the Post- 
master's percentage and necessary expenses, for the first 
year after the establishment of the office, was about 
twelve dollars, or three dollars per quarter. In the year 
1802, it was thirty-six dollars, or nine dollars per quarter. 
During that year, the mail was conveyed once a week 
only, to and from Boston by stage. 

In July, 1804, Judge Dana resigned the office, and the 
Hon. William M. Richardson, since Chief Justice of the 
Superior Court of New Hampshire, was appointed in his 
stead. 

In January, 1812, Judge Richardson resigned, and 
Abraham Moore, Esq., was appointed. 

During Judge Richardson's term of office, the net 
revenue to the department rose from nine dollars to about 
twenty-eight dollars per quarter. 

August 14, 1815, A. Moore, Esq. resigned, and Mr. 
Eliphalet Wheeler was appointed. But as there was 
some misunderstanding respecting Mr. Wheeler's political 
creed, he was not commissioned, as was supposed, on that 
account, and on the twenty-ninth of January, following, 
James Lewis, Esq., who was orthodox in that respect, 
was appointed and commissioned Postmaster. 

The average revenue, during Mr. Moore's term of 
office, was about thirty-three dollars per quarter. 

July 1, 1826, Caleb Butler, who had been assistant in 
the office, and performed most of the duties for eight 
years, was appointed and commissioned Postmaster. 

During Mr. Lewis's term of office, the revenue rose to 
fifty dollars per quarter. 



POSTMASTER AND REVENUE. 251 

C. Butler, Esq., was removed in January, 1839, and 
Mr. Henry Woods was appointed in his stead. 

During this term of C. Butler's office, the revenue rose 
from fifty dollars to more than one hundred and ten dol- 
lars per quarter. 

Mr. Woods, dying in January, 1841, Mr. George S. 
Boutwell was appointed and commissioned his successor. 
But, upon the change in the administration of the general 
government, C. Butler was reinstated in office, May, 1841. 

January 1, 1847, C. Butler, being again removed for 
political heresy, as was supposed, no cause being assigned, 
to his knowledge, for the removal, Capt. Welcome La- 
throp, whose political creed was of the right stamp, was 
appointed Postmaster. 

During the last term of C. Butler's office, a material 
change was made in the rate of the postage of letters. 

The experiment of a cheap rate was put upon trial. 
From May 14, 1841, to December 31, 1844, the net 
revenue averaged one hundred and twenty-four dollars 
and seventy-one cents per quarter. Under the new law, 
for the first year and a half, the revenue has been one 
hundred and four dollars and seventy-seven cents per 
quarter. Had the former rates remained, the natural 
increase of business should have raised it to one hundred 
and fifty dollars per quarter. The department, which for 
some years before had fallen short of supporting itself, 
now became a heavy charge upon the treasury. Whether 
the present rates will eventually raise a sufficient revenue 
to meet the expenditures, remains to be seen. The 
greatest difficulty to be overcome is, evasion of the post 
office laws, and frauds upon the department. 

St. Paul's Lodge of free, ancient and accepted Masons 
was installed at Groton, in due form, August 9, A. L. 
5797, James Brazer, Esq., was first M., Dr. Oliver Pres- 
cott, Jr., Esq., S. W., and Thomas Whitney, Esq., J. W, 



252 



FREE-MASONS AND I. 0. OF O. F. 



Most Worshipful Isaiah Thomas, sen., Esq., was G. M., 
and Rev. T. Mason Harris delivered a discourse on the 
occasion. 

The whole number of persons made Masons, since the 
installation, is two hundred. The following named per- 
sons have been Masters of the Lodge. 



James Brazer, Esq., 

Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr. Esq., 

Hon. Timothy Bigelow, 

Mr. John Lorinof, declined, 

Wallis Little, Esq., 

Hon. James Prescott, 

Dr. John Walton, 

Caleb Butler, Esq., 

Hon. John Abbott, 



James Lewis, Esq., 
Abel Tarbell, Esq., 
Mr. Benjamin Moors, 
Capt. Thomas Farnsworth, 
Mr. Jeremiah Kilburn, 
Col. William Buttrick, 
Capt. Daniel Shattuck, 
Mr. Luther S. Bancroft. 



St. John's Royal Arch Chapter, was installed at Groton 
in the autumn of A. L. 5804. During the first twenty 
years of its existence, a large number of companions were 
exalted to the degree of Royal Arch Masonry ; but the 
number of acting members was never large, and bui few 
being inhabitants of Groton, it became difficult to collect 
a sufficient number to carry on the business of a Chapter. 
Regular meetings were for some time discontinued, and, 
finally, in A. L. 5843, the Grand Chapter of Massachu- 
setts assumed the charter, records, regalia and other 
property, and St. John's Royal Arch Chapter no longer 
exists. The following named persons were High Priests 
for a longer or shorter time. 



Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., Esq., 
Caleb Butler, Esq., 



Hon. John Abbott, 
Hon. James Lewis. 



Groton Lodge No. 71, L O. of O. F., was instituted 
May 28, 1845. The petitioners for the Lodge were E. 
M. Taylor, G. H. Brown, Edwin Coburn, Artemas Wood, 
Jr., and J. H. Searls. First officers installed, E. Coburn, 
N. G. ; E. M. Taylor, V. G. ; George H. Brown, Secr'y ; 
J. H. Searls, Treasurer. First representative to Grand 



BURYING PLACE AND CEMETERY. 253 

Lodge, G. H. Brown. Number of members admitted 
before March 1, 1847, sixty-eight. 

Groton has but one common burying place. This is 
situated in the north part of the principal village, near the 
site of the second meeting-house, (and perhaps of the 
first,) which was built in the town. Its shape is nearly 
a right angled parallelogram, about thirty-two by fifteen 
rods, and, of course, contains three acres. Tombs have 
been erected, within a few years past, along the whole of 
the north side and part of the east end. It is supposed 
that the first settlers buried their dead in this place, 
though there is no monument bearing an inscription, to 
tell whose dust lies there, earlier than that of James Pres- 
cott, 1704. This is an un wrought flat stone, the name, 
age and time of death indented with a common pick. 
Compared with the numbers, whose remains lie buried 
here, elegant monuments, or even " frail memorials," 
" with uncouth rhymes and shapeless sculpture decked," 
are few. 

Some of white marble, and decent workmanship, stand 
here and there, and others of slate, interspersed with more 
ordinary ones, bearing only the names, births and deaths 
of those whose dust lies beneath them. A handsome 
pyramid of granite has been erected over the family tomb 
of the late Samuel Lawrence, Esq. 

In the present year, 1847, April 10th, an association 
was formed and organized, according to law, for the pur- 
pose of providing, preparing and embellishing a lot of 
ground for a rural cemetery. They have purchased 
twelve acres of land for the purpose, situated about one 
mile northerly of the first parish meeting-house, on the 
south-easterly side of the Dunstable road, enclosed it with 
a plain, substantial fence, and planted more than two 
thousand trees and shrubs upon it. 



254 THAUMATURGIA. 

August 24, 1847, the cemetery was consecrated by ap- 
propriate religious ceremonies, each of the settled minis- 
ters in the town, taking part in the exercises. The site 
is favorable for the purpose intended. It has a moderate 
elevation, commanding a very extensive and variegated 
western prospect. Should the contemplated improve- 
ments and embellishments be successfully and tastefully 
made, the respect thereby paid to the memory of the 
dead may redound to the honor of the living. 

The reverend and learned Cotton Mather, D. D. and 
F. R. S., in his great work called his Magiialia, entitles 
Book VI. Thaumaturgus, i. e. Liber Memorabilium, or 
Book of Wonders ; and the seventh chapter of that book 
he calls, Thaumatographia Pneumatica, or, A Relation 
of the Wonderful Works of Spirits. In this chapter he 
gives various accounts of persons bewitched, houses 
haunted at sundry times and places, embracing the more 
general workings of Satan at Andover, Danvers and 
Salem, in the year 1691. Of fourteen examples, which 
he says are ^'•rniranda sed credenda" strange but true, 
one has its locality in Groton, viz. 

"The Second Example." 

" In the town of Groton, one Elizabeth Knap, (October, 
1671,) was taken after a very strange manner; sometimes 
weeping, sometimes laughing, sometimes roaring, with 
violent agitations, crying out money ! money ! Her 
tongue would be for many hours together drawn like a 
semicircle up to the roof of her mouth, so that no fingers 
applied to it could remove it. Six men were scarce able 
to hold her in some of her fits, but she would skip about 
the house, yelling and howling and looking hideously. 

" On December seventeenth, her tongue being drawn 
out of her mouth to an extraordinary length, a dcemon 
began manifestly to speak in her, for many words were 



ELIZABETH KNAP. 255 

distinctly uttered, wherein are the labial letters, without 
any motion of the lips at all ; words, also, were uttered 
from her throat, sometimes when her mouth was wholly 
shut, and sometimes words were uttered when her mouth 
was wide open, but no organs of speech used therein. 
The chief things that the dcemon spoke, were horrid 
railings against the godly minister of the town ; but like- 
wise he sometimes belched out most nefarious blas- 
phemies against the God of heaven. And one thing 
about this young woman was yet more particularly 
remarkable ; she cried out in her fits, that a certain woman 
in the neighborhood appeared unto her, and was the only 
cause of her afiiiction. 

" The woman thus cried out upon was doubtless a holy, 
a devout, a virtuous person; and she, by the advice 
of her friends, visited the afflicted. The possessed 
creature, though she was in one of her fits and had her 
eyes wholly shut, yet when this innocent woman was 
coming, she discovered herself wonderfully sensible of it, 
and was in grievous agonies at her approaches. 

" But this innocent woman, thus accused and abused by 
a malicious devil, prayed earnestly with, as well as for 
this possessed creature ; whereupon coming to herself, 
she confessed that she had been deluded by Satan, and 
compelled by him unreasonably to think and speak evil 
of a good neighbor without a cause. After this, there 
was no further complaint of such an one's apparition, but 
she said some devil, in the shape of divers, did very 
diversely and cruelly torment her, and then told her it 
was not he but they, that were her tormentors."^ 

Among other annoyances endured by the early settlers 
of the town, the ravages of beasts and birds of prey were 



* Had the Rev. and learned Cotton Mather lived a century and a half 
later, Groton would have furnished him with several more examples of 



256 MAGICAL RODS. 

not the least, as the votes of the town granting bounties 
for killing these marauders, and the sums drawn from the 

Thaumaturgia, which he might have given with the same asseveration, 
" miranda sed crcdenda," as he did to the fourteen mentioned in tlie text. 
For instiinee he might have related 

" The Fifteeeth Example." 
" It fell out at Groton that an untenanted house, belonging to one Jason 
\\'illiams, was taken possession of by a daemon or daemons, and divers hideous 
noises were heard therein by sundry credible persons, who often repaired 
thither of a pleasant evening, to hear them. The said noises much resembled 
the fluttering of bats or swallows in some old hollow tree or chimney ; yet 
nothing was visible ; and those who had designed to inhabit there were so 
affrighted, that they were fain to relinquish their intentions; to the great 
damage of the owner and disturbance of the neighborhood." 

" The Sixteenth Example." 
"The devil, for some unknown, but undoubtedly selfish and wicked 
purpose, did so endue certain persons, of whom one Nathaniel Sartell was 
one, with miraculous gifts and faculties, by which they were enabled to 
show exactly where were veins and springs of water, and where lay ores of 
silver and other precious metals and hidden treasures, though all far beneath 
the ground, and not discernible to other persons. These wonders they were 
wont to perform by means of rods of steel or witch-hazel, cunningly wound 
about with cords and prepared by diabolical incantations. And it was very 
remarkable, that when these gifted persons were hired by good honest 
people, to show them where to dig wells with an assurance of finding water, 
they would point out the most convenient spots for those who hired them, 
where in truth they could find water, though sometimes they were necessi- 
tated to dig very deep for it. And they would also show unfrequented 
dismal places where ores of gold and silver abounded ; but then it was so 
deep in the bowels of the earth, that none could be come at, but a few 
specimens and fragments of no value at all. And then again these magical 
rods, in the hands of persons who possessed the skill and faculty to use them, 
would point out the deposits of pots and chests of ready coined gold and 
silver, hidden by Capt. Kidd and other pirates, of which tlie devil has the 
special care. But when even the most devout, pious and godly Christians, 
with the Bible, Prayer-book, and Pilgrim's Progress lying near them, to 
keep off" infernal spirits, had dug down to within an inch or two of the 
treasures, a daemon, in shape of some huge monster, with hideous yawning 
mouth and enormous white teeth ; or of some ugly night bird, with eyes as 
big as saucers, would appear, as if on purpose to mock them, and hinder 
them from adding wealth to their wisdom ; and upon the slightest word or 
whisper from one of the party, the chest, almost within their grasp, would 
move off with a rumbling noise, to some distant and less attainable spot. 



BOUNTY ON WOLVES. 257 

treasury, in consequence thereof, plainly show. As a 
sample of the votes at various times passed, take the 
following, May 22, 1749 : 

" Voted, That the sum of forty shillings be paid out of 
the town treasury, to any of the inhabitants or any other 
person, that shall kill any grown wolf within the town of 
Groton, within one year, or take the track in said town 
and follow the same and kill it where they will ; and the 
neighboring town, that will join with us, and pay to any 

Under such discouragements some began to think the handlers of these rods 
were imposed on by the devil, and were no better than conjurors and 
impostors." 

"The Seventeenth Example." 
" In the year 1797, divers persons, to outward appearance as harmless, as 
honest, and as godly as their neighbors, were accustomed- to meet statedly, 
and shut themselves up in secret conclave for hours together, admitting no 
one, except of their own crew, to see or know what was transacted by them. 
And although some of the wiser sort entertained suspicions, that their 
assemblages were no better than those of witches, warlocks and demons, 
with Beelzebub to preside; and although, at sundry times, superhuman 
noises and sulphurous fumes proceeded from the den where they met, yet 
these nefarious meetings were suffered to be held for more than a score of 
years, and their horrid machinations to spread and ripen, till both church and 
state came near being swallowed up in utter ruin by them. At len°-th 
it being supposed that sundry horrid murders had been committed by them! 
and it becoming manifest that they were all, like Dr. Faustus, leagued with 
the devil, under tremendous and nefarious oaths and imprecations, to take 
away the rights, liberties, and privileges of the people, a general alarm was 
raised, the plots and conspiracies were exposed, and the people were mar- 
vellously enlightened concerning their perilous condition. Whereupon all 
who were known to have been present at those midnight orgies, or had made 
league with any dsmon, (except a few who voluntarily came forward and 
humbly confessed their guilt,) were treated as common enemies ; no aid or 
comfort was afforded to them, and they were deprived of all places of 
profit and honor both in church and state; and the discoverers and exposers 
of these abominable and treasonable deeds, were promoted to supply their 
places, in gratitude for their meritorious services. And so it came to pass 
that not only Groton, but the whole country, was wonderfuUy-nay miracu- 
lously delivered from the bondage, slavery and dominion of Satan, to which 
these miscreants would fain have surrendered it ; and all this was accom- 
plished without a single punishment, (which they so richly merited,) by the 
hand of the public executioner." 

33 



258 COMBINATION OF TOWNS TO KILL WOLVES. 

of our inhabitants in the following manner, that is to say, 
the town of Westford twenty shillings, the town of 
Littleton twenty-two shillings and sixpence, the town of 
Dunstable ten shillings ; then the town of Groton to pay 
to any of the inhabitants of the aforesaid towns the sum 
of forty shillings in the same manner as abovesaid ; and 
if the town of Harvard comes into the same method, and 
pays twenty shillings, Lunenburg twenty-five shillings, 
Townsend ten shillings, and Hollis ten shillings, to any 
of our inhabitants that shall kill any grown wolf, as 
aforesaid, then any of their inhabitants shall receive of 
the town of Groton the sum of forty shillings, as afore- 
said ; and such and so many of the said towns that shall 
join, shall be entitled to the forty shillings, as aforesaid, 
provided said wolf be killed within one year, and within 
the bounds of any of these towns that shall join and pay 
as aforesaid, or take the track in any of the abovesaid 
towns, and follow the same until they shall kill said wolf ; 
and the head of any wolf killed as aforesaid, and brought 
to the selectmen of either of the abovesaid towns that 
shall join as aforesaid, or to the major part of them, and 
the ears of the said w-olf cut off by one of the constables 
in their presence, and the major part of the selectmen 
belonging to the town in which the wolf be killed, certi- 
fying the same under their hands, shall be sufficient to 
entitle the person that shall kill the wolf, as aforesaid, to 
the aforesaid sum." 

The bounty for killing crows has, with some inter- 
mission, been continued till within a few years. 

During the revolutionary war such was the scarcity of 
hard money, and the difficulty of collecting taxes, that 
no suitable person would willingly accept the office of 
constable and collector, the duties of which were united. 
Many, who were chosen to the office, paid their fines, 
rather than perform the duties ; and it seems probable, that 
men unable to pay a fine were sometimes chosen to the 



FINES PAID BULLETS RUN. 259 

office with the expectation that they would so pay. In 
1777, Amos Ames paid a fine. In 1778, Joseph Allen, 
Nathan Ames and Caleb Blood, paid fines. In 1779, Na- 
thaniel Stone, David Green and Jacob Gragg, Jr., did the 
same. In 1780, Robert Ames ; and in 1782, Asahel Wy- 
man, Ebenezer Procter, Enoch Cook and James Blood, Jr., 
all paid fines; and Jonas Stone in that year consented to 
serve, on condition of receiving the fines of Cook and 
Wyman ,• and Daniel Woods did the same for the fine 
paid by Procter. What the real value of these were, 
under the depreciated state of the currency, is difficult to 
tell. The nominal sum which Robert Ames paid in 1780, 
was eighty pounds. 

Another small source of revenue in these difficult times 
was, fines imposed for profane swearing, and non-attend- 
ance on public worship. In 1779, Israel Hobart, Esq., is 
credited for two pounds eight shillings, being a fine by 
him received for the former offence ; and Gabriel Lakin 
paid thirty shillings for the latter offence. 

At the annual town meeting, May, 1777, — 

" Voted, That the selectmen be directed to take the 
lead weights from the meeting-house windows, and cause 
them to be run into bullets for the town stock." 

The Court of Common Pleas sat in Groton in Mayj 
1779 and 1780. It was in session in the meeting-house 
on the remarkable dark day. May 19, 1780, and candies 
were necessarily used. 

The following contributions made by the congrega- 
tion are recorded in one of the church books. 

« 1761, July 19. For Daniel Harper, of Harvard, now 
resident at D. Canada, £2 3s. Oo?." 

" 1762, December 27. For Merrick Gould, £5 2s." 

" 1763, December 8. For Jno. Butterfield, of Shirley, 
£5 9s. 7K" 

" 1767. For Eleazer Gilson, of Pepperell, about £5." 



260 CONTRIBUTIONS — DARK DAY. 

" 1768, September. For the sufferers by the fire at 
Montreal, £3 6s. 5</." 

" 1778, March 22. To Daniel Gilson, of Dunstable, on 
account of having lost his house by fire, £32 15s. lOd., 
one pair shoes, one bushel rye, and one bushel Indian 
corn." 

" 1781. To the poor and distressed people in South 
Carolina and Georgia, in compliance with a brief issued 
by his Excellency the Governor for that purpose, 
twenty-five dollars in hard money, and four dollars new 
emission equal to one." 

" 1795. To the sufierers by fire in Boston, sixteen 
dollars." 

June 25, 1811, the town voted to appropriate the sum 
of two hundred dollars from the treasury for the relief of 
sufferers by fire at Newburyport. This vote was more in 
accordance with the laws of charity than with those of 
the Commonwealth. 

The following notices of remarkable events are chiefly 
taken from memoranda kept by Capt. Z, Fitch, who lived 
near Nashua river. 

" May 19, 1780. Then it was an exceeding dark day, 
such as was not known before in North America." 

The darkness of this day and of the night following, 
which was proportionally great, was satisfactorily ac- 
counted for, by attentive observers of the phenomenon. 
There had been, a few days previous, very extensive fires 
between the settlements in Canada and New England. 
The state of the atmosphere and currents of the wind 
had favored the collection and preservation of the smoke 
over the territory involved in the darkness. The forma- 
tion of the clouds, too, which prevailed at the time, 
probably had an agency in producing the result, by being 
in several layers and holding the smoke between them, 
and especially between them and the earth. As evidence, 



REMABKABLE EVENTS. 261 

in part, of the correctness of this explanation of the phe- 
nomenon, the ashes of burnt leaves were precipitated 
from the rain water, a little of which fell during the day, 
when suffered to stand a few hours. 

"June 20, 1783. Then fell an exceeding great (thun- 
der) shower, of rain and some hail." 

" April 22, 1785. It was good sledding then on the 
top of the snow ; and adjudged that the snow was two 
feet deep on a level." 

Wood was carried on sleds over Sandy pond, about this 
time, according to the recollection of sundry inhabitants. 

" March 18, 1794, a great flood, without any rain, car- 
ried off mine (Fitch's) and Stoney-wading-place bridges." 

" May 17th, at night, was an exceeding hard freeze, 
so that it killed many trees, as well as other things. 
24th, I mowed most of my best rye, being killed with 
the frost." 

" June 1, 1799, was an exceeding cold rain, so that 
many sheep perished. 6th, fell a great rain, which 
caused a flood in the river." 

" March 18, 1801, began a severe storm of rain, con- 
tinued four days, caused the highest flood ever known." 

" June 1st. A very severe thunder shower, rain, hail 
and wind, as never was known before." 

October 11, 1804. A severe storm of rain, sleet and 
snow, the wind north-east. Much damage done to trees 
and buildings. 

1812. A very cold and wet year. The two last 
weeks in January, and first in February, the cold is ex- 
treme. The thermometer at one time, as low as — 14°. 
May 4th, a snow-storm commences, continuing twenty- 
four hours. In July and August, much cloudy weather. 
Haying and reaping not finished till some time in Sep- 
tember. Very little Indian corn ripened. 

September 2^1815, a most remarkable gale of wind. 
At about nine o'clock, A. M., it commenced raining, the 



262 



COLD SEASONS. 



wind blowing from the south-east. At eleven o'clock, 
the rain somewhat abated, but the wind veering towards 
the south, blew a tremendous gale. Fences, fruit trees, 
whole forests, chimnies and whole buildings, were sud- 
denly prostrated, and the earth was strewed with fruits 
and fragments of all kinds in promiscuous confusion. It 
extended in great severity along the sea coast from Maine 
to New York, and inland, from fifty to one hundred 
miles. 

The year 1816, was a very cold and very dry season. In 
April, a very large macula appeared upon the sun, which 
was succeeded by numerous others, at no time wholly 
disappearing for several months. From the 6th to the 
11th of June, were severe frosts. On the 9th, were 
squalls of snow. There were also frosts in July and 
August. September 27th and 28th, the frost is very se- 
vere. Indian corn, being mostly in the milk, is destroyed, 
so that there is but about an eighth part of a good crop. 

1818. March 1st, 2d and 3d, a warm rain and south 
wind melts a deep snow and causes a flood, which does 
immense damage to dams, mills and bridges. Fitch's 
and Jewett's bridges carried away. 

January 4, 1835. This morning is the coldest ever 
recollected. Thermometers at various places in New 
England range from — 18^°, to — 40°. From — 2°, to 
— 6°, on the next six succeeding mornings. 



CHAPTER XIII. 

Notices of some of the families of the first settlers, and of distin- 
guished individuals, arranged in alphabetical order. 

Bancroft. 

The ancestor of the families of this name, came very 
early from England and settled in this country. He is 
supposed to have brought with him two sons, Thomas 
and another. The father died at Lynn, in 1637. 
Thomas settled in that town, and died there, August 19, 
1691, aged 69 years, leaving three sons. Thomas, the 
eldest of these, settled in Reading, west parish, and had 
eight children. Thomas, the eldest of this family, and 
third of the name in succession, was representative of the 
town of Reading at the time of his death. He died 
November 9, 1731, aged 58 years. He left four sons, 
the third of whom was Benjamin, the ancestor of the 
families of the name in Groton, Pepperell and many 
other places. He lived some time in Charlestown, there 
married Anna Lawrence, daughter of John Lawrence, of 
Lexington, and afterward came to Groton, where he pur- 
sued his occupation as a tanner, in the centre of the town. 
He died at Groton, July 21, 1787, aged 86 years. The 
number and dates of the births of his children are found 
in another place. Benjamin, his first son, pursued the 
occupation of his father in Groton, was a captain in the 
militia, treasurer of the town, and a deacon of the church. 



264 BANCROFT BARRON. 

He died at the age of 80 years. Edmund, his second 
son, removed to that part of Groton which is now Pep- 
perell, was a husbandman, represented the town of Pep- 
perell in the General Court, was a captain of the militia, 
and treasurer of the town for twenty years. 

William Bancroft, a son of Deacon Benjamin, served 
several years in the war of the Revolution, was a lieuten- 
ant, and received a pension as such, the latter part of his 
life. 

Edmund Bancroft, eldest son of Edmund of Pepperell, 
was a lieutenant in the Revolutionary war, and died of 
the small pox at Prospect hill. Col. Jonathan Bancroft, 
another son of Edmund, served seven years in the Rev- 
olutionary war, and is still living. 

Dr. Amos Bancroft, another son of Edmund, graduated 
at Harvard College in 1791 ; studied medicine under Dr. 
O. Prescott, Sen., of Groton ; practised in that profession 
at Weston ; removed to Groton in 1811, where he still 
lives. He has been many years a counsellor in the Mas- 
sachusetts Medical Society. 

The other branches of this family are numerous, scat- 
tered in various parts of the country, containing many 
men of worth and distinction. 

Barron. 

Two of the first settlers of Groton bore this name. 
Ellis, the possessor of a fifteen acre right, and John of a 
seven acre right. They both had children, but none of 
the name has been known here for a long time. Elias 
Barron, (perhaps the same name above spelt Ellis,) was 
one of Capt. Lovell's daring company in the expedition to 
Pequacket, in 1725, and was lost on his way home. 
Samuel Barron is gratefully remembered as a charitable 
donor of a small fund for the relief of the poor of the 
church. 



blood dana. 265 

Blood. 

This name is very common in this town, and others in 
its vicinity, and has been so ever since the first settlement. 
Four of the name are among the original proprietors of 
Groton, viz., Richard, Robert, James, and Joseph. 
Richard and Robert are named as petitioners for the 
plantation, and Richard was one of the first board of 
selectmen chosen by the inhabitants. He was continued 
in that office several years, and in 1668 was town 
clerk. 

Of all the original proprietors, Richard Blood was the 
largest. He owned a sixty acre right. The next highest 
was a fifty acre right. Either by accident or for some 
cause now unknown, the lands of the Bloods are not 
recorded in the Indian Roll or in the book transcribed 
from it by John Morse, in 1683. They are for the first 
time described by the proprietors' committee, in 1739, 
and afterwards recorded. Richard lived at the place 
called "Nod." He was son of James Blood of Concord, 
and from him probably descended most of the Bloods in 
Groton and Pepperell. He died at Groton, 7d. 10 mo., 
1683, (not 1692, as stated by Farmer.) A large number 
of families are recorded. They resided in the no.rth part 
of the town, and many of them were included in 
Pepperell and Dunstable, in the divisions of the town. 

Dana. 

The Rev. Samuel Dana was the settled minister of 
Groton, from June 3, 1761, to March, 1775. A notice of 
him is given in the chapter on ministers, &c. 

His eldest son, Luther, was an active, enterprising man, 
engaged in navigation, being master of the vessel in 
which he sailed. He was father of the distinguished 
doctor and chemist, Samuel L. Dana, of Lowell* 
34 



266 DANA. 

The Hon. Samuel Dana, the other son of the minister, 
read law, and commenced the practice of it at Groton 
about the year 1789. He was a popular speaker, able 
advocate, and successful practitioner. Being a cotem- 
porary in practice with Hon. Timothy Bigelow, who is 
noticed in the Prescott family, and having the same 
elevated stand in public estimation with him, he was very 
generally engaged on the opposite side of all trials within 
the range of their practice, which was very extensive. 
Their popularity in their profession, fidelity to their 
clients, and adroitness in the management of cases, were 
nearly or quite equal, but their manners were different. 
In argument Mr. Dana was calm, smooth, and persuasive ; 
Mr. Bigelow energetic, forcible, commanding. 

Mr. Dana represented the town of Groton in the 
General Court in the years, 1802, 1803, 1825 and the two 
next succeeding years. He was senator for Middlesex 
from 1805 to 1813, and in 1817; president of the senate, 
1807, 1811, and 1812. He was one of the delegates from 
Groton, in the convention for altering and amending the 
State constitution, in 1820-21 ; and a representative in 
Congress in 1814 and 1815; and finally chief justice of 
the Circuit Court of Common Pleas from 1811 to 1820. 

In the latter part of his life there seemed to be a want 
of fixedness of purpose in Judge Dana's pursuits. About 
the time of the introduction of merino sheep to this 
country, he purchased a flock, and also engaged in general 
agricultural business ; but as it commonly happens with 
professional men in such cases, he was not very successful. 
He removed from Groton to Charlestown in 1808, and 
returned in 18 15. He again removed to Charlestown in 
1835. He was occasionally subject to undue elevations 
and depressions of spirit, which caused instability in his 
undertakings and pursuits. He married Rebecca Barrett, 
who proved a very amiable and excellent companion and 



FAKNSWORTH. 267 

wife. She died at Groton, May 11, 1834. He died at 
Charlestown, November, 1835. Gen. James Dana, of 
Charlestown, is their youngest son. 

Farnsworth.^ 

This name has been very common ever since the first 
settlement of the town. When the first of the name came 
to this country, or what was the place of his or their 
residence, has not been ascertained. A Joseph Farns- 
worth, of Dorchester, was admitted freeman, December 
14, 1638; and another of the same name, 1639, whose 
place of residence is not mentioned. As Joseph has been 
a favorite name in the Groton families, it is not impro- 
bable that one or the other of these was the ancestor of 
the Farnsworths at Groton. 

The first at Groton was Matthias. He was an early 
settler, an original proprietor, and owned a twenty acre 
right. His house lot and uplands were situated on both 
sides of the present travelled road to Harvard, on the south 
side of James's brook, where Ephraim Sawteli and Alvah 
Wright now live. It appears by the county records, that 
he had three children born at Groton, and upon examin- 
ing and comparing Groton records, it is evident that he had 
other children born probably before he came to Groton, 
viz., Matthias, Jr., John, Benjamin, and Joseph. If reli- 
ance can be placed on the correct use of Jr. and *S'ew., 
Matthias Sen. died between 1681 and 1684. And as the 
name Matthias is not to be found on the records after 
1692, till others of the name came of age, it is presumed 
that Matthias Jr. died young, not, however, till he had 
had several children, viz., Joseph, Matthias, Ebenezer, 
Josiah and perhaps others. Assuming all this to be 
correct, most of which is evidently so, there is no diffi- 



• Sometimes spelt Farnuth, at others Farmwoith, and lastly Farnsworth. 



268 FARNSWORTH — FARVVELL. 

culty in tracing the genealogy of the numerous families 
in Groton, and those who emigrated to various parts of 
the country, to their original stock, and common ancestor, 
Matthias. 

The most distinguished of the name in former times 
appears to have been John. He was an ensign in the 
militia, a selectman a number of years, moderator of town 
meetings very frequently, and representative in the 
General Court for four or five years. He was also chosen 
deacon of the church, but not without some opposition, 
as appears in another place. 

Amos Farnsworth, son of Amos Farnsworth and Lydia 
Longley, grandson of Benjamin Farnsworth and Mary 
Prescott, and great-grandson of Matthias Farnsworth, 
Sen., was an officer in the war of the revolution ; was in 
the battle of Bunker Hill and in other places of difficulty 
and danger. After that war he was a major of artillery 
in the militia. He received a pension of about one hun- 
dred and thirteen dollars per annum, for his revolutionary 
services, and died October 29, 1847, set. 93. 



Farwell. 

This has ever been a prevalent name in the south-east 
and south part of Groton. Two of the name, Joseph and 
Thomas, were chosen deacons of the church ; but it does 
not appear that Thomas ever officiated. 

Henry, the son of William Farwell, Sen., born July 21, 
1724, was a soldier in the French wars, and was captain 
of one of the companies of minute men in Groton, at the 
commencement of the revolutionary war. He marched 
with his company, on the 19th of April, 1775, to Cam- 
bridge ; was in the battle of Bunker Hill, and was 
severely wounded. A musket ball passed through his 
body, lodging near the spine, whence it was extracted in 
the evening after the battle. He engraved upon the ball 



FARWELL GILSON. 269 

the figures 1775, and kept it as a precious relic. He was 
a man of small stature, but very strong and athletic, and 
of undaunted courage. He died in 1803. 

Naomi Farwell, daughter of William Farwell, born 
August 16, 1769, sustained a character somewhat noted, 
on account of her solitary and unsocial habits and man- 
ners, which gave her the title of hermitess. She lived 
with her father and mother, while they lived, in a poor 
small house, about a mile north of the village, and after 
their decease entirely alone, in the same place. She in- 
herited from her father, of whom she was sole heir, a 
farm of about eighty acres of good land, upon and at the 
foot of " Chestnut Hills," a large portion of which had 
never been stripped of its native forest trees. Of this, 
after the death of her father, she superintended the man- 
agement, constantly laboring with her own hands, and 
hiring only in the most busy seasons of the year. It is 
said by her biographer, " The seclusion of her abode, her 
eccentric habits, and the romantic beauty of the walks 
over her domain, together with her reputation for skill in 
palmistry, rendered a stroll through Naomi's grounds a 
favorite promenade for young people." By the dreariness 
of her abode and the severity of winter, she contracted a 
cold, which brought her to a premature death, January 1, 
1838. 

GiLSON. 

Joseph Gilson was one of the original proprietors of 
Groton, owning a nine acre right. One of the same 
name from Groton was in Lovell's fight, escaped unhurt, 
and returned home. The name has ever prevailed in the 
town to the present time. Probably all are descendants 
from the abovementioned Joseph. They have resided in 
those parts of the town set off to Pepperell and Dunstable, 
and northerly and easterly parts as it is at present. They 
are not known to have been particularly distinguished 



270 GREEN. 

from the industrious yeomanry and the common muni- 
cipal and military officers of the town. 

Green. 

William Green was an original proprietor, possessing a 
fourteen acre right. His house lot, containing seventeen 
acres, lay on both sides of the street or great county road, 
comprising the present site of the Lawrence Academy on 
the east side, and the house lots of C. Butler, J. Kilburn, 
and others, on the west, extending as far north as the 
road leading across Broad meadow. 

David Green, a son of Jonathan Green, born March 10, 
1741, was in the exact sense of the word, without reserve 
or qualification, a miser. His father was a blacksmith, 
and lived in the north part of the town, near where John 
W. Kemp now lives, on a farm once owned by John 
Lakin, his maternal great-grandfather. 

Of his youth and early part of his manhood I am 
unable to speak with certainty, but have understood that 
he was averse to labor and extremely parsimonious. He 
was never married, and seemed to take little or no plea- 
sure in friendship, society, or any of those things which 
constitute the principal comforts and enjoyments of a 
great portion of mankind. His father and brothers were 
all dead before or soon after he became of lawful age. 
His father had given him a deed of his lands, and he pur- 
chased of his mother and sisters their shares in a deceased 
brother's estate ; so that he became sole proprietor of all 
his father once owned, supposed to be a very considerable 
estate. 

His methods of accumulating property were, leasing 
his lands at extravagant rents, and loaning money at 
usurious interest. What he acquired he preserved by 
parsimony in his expenditures. His unbounded avarice 
denied him the plainest wholesome diet, and the coarsest 
decent clothing. His passion for saving every trifling 



GREEN, THE MISER. 271 

article which fell in his way, imbibed and cherished pro- 
bably in youth and confirmed in manhood, reached an 
extreme in old age. 

In the leases he made of his paternal mansion-house, he 
always reserved a room and chamber to himself. These, 
in the course of his life, he filled with a motley collec- 
tion of various articles of little or no intrinsic value, till 
they might vie with the cabinet of the most curious anti- 
quarian, or museum of the most whimsical virtuoso. In 
his excursions about the town, he seldom failed to fill his 
pockets with scraps of old iron, pieces of leather and cloth, 
which he chanced to find at the doors of houses and 
shops. With these materials he would patch his shoes 
and clothes, till his shoes were as impenetrable as the 
shield of Achilles, and his garments so patched and parti- 
colored, that it was difficult to know what was their 
original warp or woof. 

His household furniture corresponded with his cor- 
poreal appearance. A piece of wood rudely hollowed 
out with a knife, answered for a spoon ; the leg bone of a 
lamb or pig, with an old knife blade stuck into it, and 
another with a fork-tine, were his implements for carving. 
The trunk of a hollow tree, with a pine board fitted into 
one end, was his churn ; and the blossom-buds of burdock 
formed his pillow. He had in his granary, near the close 
of his life, corn and beans from twelve to twenty years 
old ; and flax grown and dressed about the time of the 
revolutionary war. His food, when at home, was of the 
coarsest and sometimes of the most loathsome kind ; and 
at any of his debtors' or tenants' houses, which he was 
accustomed to frequent in order to save the expense of 
board, he refused to eat at table with others, but satisfied 
his vitiated appetite in solitude, with the crumbs and frag- 
ments which properly belonged to the domestic animals. 

" Quid non mortalia pectora cogis, 



Sacra fames auri ?" 



272 GREEN, THE MISER 



He was not unfrequently involved in law suits, and in 
some cases lost large sums by having taken usury. 
When, either from necessity or choice, he attended the 
court, where he had hundreds or thousands of dollars in 
dispute, he would carry his food, consisting of cold pud- 
ding and potatoes, in his pocket, on which he would sub- 
sist for several days. 

Towards the close of his miserable life, he made a deed 
of his two principal farms, which by bad management 
had become of small value, except for the large quantity 
of wood and timber upon them, conveying them to two 
small boys in Vermont, sons of a relative too remote to 
be heir at law, and made and executed a will, devising 
and bequeathing all the rest of his estate to the father of 
these lads. 

At a time when he was sick, and thought not likely to 
recover, his mansion house, being without a tenant, was 
burnt in the night time, having in all probability been 
first plundered of its most valuable contents, and his 
cabinet of curiosities was, by this accident, lost to the 
world. 

During his last sickness, three or four villains procured 
an instrument, purporting to be his last will, to be signed 
with his name, sealed, and duly witnessed by themselves. 
After his death, this forged instrument was offered for 
probate in the county of Hillsborough, New Hampshire, 
where it was proved, allowed and might have been com- 
pletely and finally carried into execution, but for a dis- 
agreement among those who were to share the property, 
which led to a discovery of the fraud. Whereupon, an 
appeal was made to the superior court, the decree of 
probate reversed, and the genuine will was afterwards 
established in the probate court in Massachusetts. 

This remarkable man died at a miserable hut of one of 
his old tenants in Mason, New Hampshire, November 10, 
1822, aged 81 years. 



lakin— lawrence. 273 

Lakin. 

William Lakin was probably the oldest man among the 
first generation of settlers in Groton. From his great 
age, ninety or ninety-one, when he died, in 1672, it ap- 
pears that he was born abont forty years before the first 
settlement at Plymouth. He is not named among the 
original proprietors of Groton. By certain old papers, it 
appears that Lieut. William Lakin and Sarg. John Lakin, 
were grandsons of William, senior ; that William, junior, 
father of Lieut. William and Sarg. John, died in England ; 
that his widow married William Martin, and that the 
grandfather, daughter-in-law and two grandsons came 
from Redington, England, to Reading, Massachusetts. 
The two grandsons had each a twenty acre right, as 
original proprietors of Groton. William's house lot was 
on both sides of the road leading to Hawtree-meadow, 
(probably Chicopee row, or somewhere in that direction,) 
and John's was at Nod. John also had ninety acres at 
the " sledges," ^ afterwards the homestead of David 
Green. From these two militia officers, it is believed, 
sprung all the families of Lakins in this and the neigh- 
boring towns. Isaac was wounded in Lovell's fight. 
David, a great-grandson of Sargeant, or Ensign John, died 
at Groton, March 3, 1846, aged 92, the oldest man then 
in Groton. 

Lawrence. 

The first account of the ancestor of the numerous 
families of this name, in Groton and Pepperell, which can 
be relied upon as certain, is, that he was an inhabitant of 
Watertown as early as 1635. He probably came from 
England in the company which came with Governor 

'This word seems to signify strips of meadow, or parcels of low lands, 
abounding in iron ore. 

35 



274 LAWRENCE. 

Winthrop in 1630. His given name was John, and that 
of his wife was Elizabeth. Whether they were married 
in England or not, has not been ascertained. Their eldest 
child was born at Watertown, 14th, 1 m. 1635. They 
had twelve children born at Watertown, and after their 
removal to Groton, the wife died, and the husband mar- 
ried a widow, Mary Batchelder of Boston, by whom he 
had two more.^ February 28, 1636, John Lawrence, of 
Watertown, had assigned to him, by the freemen of that 
town, three acres " of the plowlands at Beverbroke 
plains," now Waltham. April 17, 1637, he took the 
freeman's oath. He removed to Groton, with probably 
all his family, at an early period of its settlement, as his 
name is found in the records there in 1663. He was an 
original proprietor, having a twenty acre right, his sons, 
Nathaniel had a ten acre, and Joseph a five acre right. It 
is doubtful whether his oldest son, John, resided long at 
Groton. The only mention found of him in the records 
is this, " John Morse, of Ipswich, is accepted by the town 
to possess the alotment of John Lawrence, junior's." 
Morse had a twelve acre right, probably all purchased of 
John Lawrence, Jr. 

John Lawrence, Sen., made his will, April 24, 1667, in 
which most of his children named in the family list are 
noticed, five of the children of the first wife as minors. 
After making provision for his wife and her two daugh- 
ters, he gives the rest and residue of his estate to all his 
children by his former wife, with this singular proviso, 
that Mary should have but half a share, " to teach her a 
remembrance of her disobedience and unfaithfulness to 
me in my distress." Jonathan, his eleventh child, was 
he who gave one hundred pounds to the town for the 
purchase of a bell, and bequests to the church and min- 
ister of Groton. 

•* See family list in Appendix. 



LAWRENCE. 275 

Nathaniel, his second son, and his descendants, deserve 
a more particular notice. He married Sarah Moss, or 
Morse, of Sudbury, by whom he had seven children, and 
afterwards three by a second wife. He was an ensign in 
the militia, a deacon in the church, and one of the first 
representatives of the town under the charter of William 
and Mary, in 1693. After this, he removed with his 
family to that part of Cambridge which is now Lexing- 
ton. His son John seems to have gone there before him, 
as he had a son there in 1688, and his father was at 
Groton till after 1693. This John Lawrence lived at 
Lexington, and died there March 12, 1746. leaving a 
large number of children, of whom Thomas, William and 
Amos, came to Groton and there lived and died. 

Thomas was the great-grandfather of Deacon Curtis 
Lawrence of Groton, and of Hon. Asa F. Lawrence of 
Pepperell. 

Col. William Lawrence married Susaima, one of the 
eight daughters of Jonas Prescott, Esq., and lived on the 
spot where Liberty Hall now stands. He occupied a 
station among his fellow townsmen, and the public, simi- 
lar to that of Capt. James Parker, Jonas Prescott, Esq., 
and Hon. Benjamin Prescott, before him, and of the Hon. 
Oliver, and Col. James Prescott, after him. The inscrip- 
tion upon the slab of slate placed over the remains of him 
and his wife, in language more plain and expressive, than 
elegant or tasteful, gives, it is believed, a true sketch of 
their lives and characters. 

" Here lie the remains of Col. William Lawrence, who 
departed this life May 19, 1764, a3t. 67. 

" He was a gentleman, who in military life rose from 
the rank of Capt. Lieut., to the command of a regi- 
ment. In the year 1739, he was made justice of the 
peace, afterwards, quorum unus, a special justice of the 
court of common pleas for the county of Middlesex, and 
standing justice of the court. He for many years repre- 



276 LAWKENCE. 

sented the town of Groton, with the districts of Pepperell 
and Shirley, in the General Assembly of this Province. 
In all public betrustment he acquitted himself with fidelity 
and honor. In private life his behavior was becoming his 
Christian profession. He was remarkably industrious in 
the improvement of time ; just in his dealings ; a good 
neighbor and faithful friend ; patient of injuries and ready 
to forgive them ; grateful to benefactors ; very ready in 
affording assistance to the widow and fatherless, and mer- 
ciful to all objects of pity. He was a strict observer of 
the Lord's day ; a constant and serious attender on the 
public exercises of religion ; a devout worshipper of God 
in his family. 

" Here also lies buried the body of Mrs. Susanna 
Lawrence, relict of the above-named William Lawrence, 

" She was a woman of piety and good sense, an indus- 
trious prudent wife, an indulgent parent, a good neighbor, 
a faithful friend, a hater of hypocrisy and guile, a lover 
of hospitality, patient under affliction, and resigned to the 
will of Heaven in death, by which she was called out of 
the world, to receive the rewards of a faithful servant, on 
the 10th of September, in the 80th year of her age, A. 1)., 
177L" 

These were the parents of six children. William, their 
eldest son, was a settled minister in Lincoln. Abel was 
the town clerk, and a selectman in Groton, and a justice 
of the peace. He was father of the late Abel Lawrence, 
Esq., of Salem. 

Capt. Amos Lawrence, the youngest son of John l^aw- 
rence of Lexington, after removing to Groton, married 
Abigail Abbott of Lincoln, by whom he had three sons, 
who lived to the age of manhood and had families in 
Groton, viz., Amos, Nehemiah and Samuel. A son and 
grandson of Amos, Jr., are living in the State of Illinois. 
Nehemiah had four daughters, but no sons. 

Peacon Samuel Lawrence, the youngest son of Capt. 



LAWBENCE. 277 

Amos Lawrence, Sen., was an officer in the continental 
army, in the former part of the Revolutionary war. He 
was in the battle on Bunker's hill, where a musket ball 
passed through his beaver hat. He was also in the battle 
at Rhode Island, where he served as adjutant under Gen, 
Sullivan. 

On the 22d day of July, 1777, being at home on a fur- 
lough, for the express purpose, he was married to Susanna 
Parker. While the marriage ceremony was being per- 
formed, the alarm bell rung to call all officers and soldiers 
to their posts at Cambridge. He immediately obeyed the 
summons of his country ; but on his arrival at the camp, 
the Colonel, knowing the circumstances of the case, gave 
him a furlough for a few days, at the expiration of which, 
he joined the army at Rhode Island. 

Having faithfully served in the cause of his country 
during the term of his engagement, he returned to his 
native town to enjoy the peace and quiet of domestic life 
on his farm. He was elected by his townsmen to some 
of the highest offices in their gift ; he was a deacon of 
the church, and a justice of the peace, quorum unus. He 
took a deep interest in providing means for the education 
of youth ; particularly in establishing and supporting the 
Seminary in Groton, which now in gratitude to him and 
his sons bears the family name. Of this institution he 
was a trustee thirty-three years, and in its benefits and 
advantages he gave ample opportunities for all his children 
to participate. Here, their minds undoubtedly received 
some of those eaorly impressions, the developments and 
consequences of which it will be the work of their biog- 
raphers hereafter to portray. No deduction, however, 
should here be made from the importance of parental in- 
struction, to add to the merit of academical education. 
The correct lessons given by the mother in the nursery, 
are as necessary to give the right inclination to the tender 
mind, as are those of the tutor in the highest seminary, to 



278 LEW LONGLEY. 

prepare it for the business of life and intellectual great- 
ness. In the present case, all the duties incumbent on a 
mother to teach her offspring to be good, and conse- 
quently great, were discharged with fidelity and success. 
Both parents lived to see, in the subjects of their care, all 
that they could reasonably hope or desire. He died 
November 8, 1827, set. 73, and his venerable widow, May 
2, 1845, ffit. 89. 

Lew. 

Zelah, (correctly Barzillai,) born November 5, 1743, 
was no less a personage than the father of the family of 
that name in Dracutt. He, his wife and all their numer- 
ous children were musicians, and no family in the county 
of Middlesex, about half a century ago, could produce so 
much good music, as the Lew family. He was a fifer in 
Capt. John Ford's company of the twenty-seventh regi- 
ment of Massachusetts, stationed at Cambridge, 1775, 
and was in the battle of Bunker hill. The rise of ground 
on the west side of Nashua river in Pepperell, still bears 
the name of his father. Primus hill, to this day. His 
house stood a little north of the present travelled county 
road on that rise. 

LoNGLEY. 

Several of this name figure in the early records of 
Groton, and many of their descenants still live in Shirley 
and various other places. William Longley, Sen., probably 
the same mentioned by Farmer, owner of a thirty acre 
right, died November 29, 1680. John and William were 
his sons. William, Jr., was town clerk six years, and 
held that office when he with his family were slain by 
the Indians in 1694. (Vid. chapter Indian war.) John, 
the son of William, Jr., who was carried away a captive, 



MOORS. 279 

was also town clerk six years, a deacon of the church 
from 1722, to the time of his death, 1750, and town 
treasurer and parish treasurer for many years. He repre- 
sented the town in the General Court three years. He 
had nine sons and three daughters ; five of them by his 
first wife, Sarah, one of the eight daughters of Capt. Jonas 
Prescott, and seven by his last wife. His son Joseph was 
a soldier in the French war, and died of a wound at 
Greenbush, New York, in 1758. This Joseph was father 
of Col. Edmund Longley,'^ late of Hawley, and grand- 
father of Gen. Thomas Longley of the same place. Not 
less than fifteen of the name, in Groton and its vicinity, 
were soldiers in the Revolutionary war. 

MoORS. 

Abraham Moors is supposed by his descendants to have 
come from England about the beginning of the eighteenth 
century. He was a weaver by occupation, and settled on 
the farm now owned by his grandson, Benjamin Moors, 
in the south part of the town, which he purchased of 
John Farnsworth, February 5, 1716-17. He married 
Ehzabeth* Gilson, by whom he had six sons and three 
daughters. 

His youngest son, Joseph Moors, born July 25, 1738, 
was a soldier in the campaign of 1758, and was at the 
seige and capture of Louisburg, Cape Breton. He was 
commissioned an adjutant, March 4, 1772, in Col. James 
Prescott's regiment. March 9, 1774, he was commis- 
sioned, by Gov. Hutchinson, a cornet in the troop of 
Capt. Benjamin Bancroft, Jr., in Col. J. Prescott's regi- 
ment. He commanded a company at the battle of Bunker 
hill, and January 1, 1776, he was commissioned by Con- 
gress a captain of foot in Col. William Prescott's regiment. 

•* Died November 29, 1842, set. 96, vid. American Almanac for 1844. 



280 NUTTING PARISH. 

He marched with the army to New York, but how long 
he continued in the service is not precisely known. 
After the war closed, he settled as a farmer on his paternal 
estate. Such was the confidence placed in him by his 
fellow townsmen, for his integrity and abilities, that he 
was constantly in offices of trust, of a civil and municipal 
nature. He was a representative of the town in the 
General Court nine years. Died July 25, 1820. 

Nutting. 

This, from the first settlement, to the present time, has 
been a common name in Groton. 

John Nutting was an original proprietor, and owned a 
seventeen acre right. His house lot was on the northerly 
side of James's brook, between the highway passing 
easterly of the Union meeting-house on the east, and 
Broadmeadow on the west. His house, which was one 
of the most ancient garrisons, probably stood near the 
brook, on the site perhaps of Liberty Hall, or the Rev. D. 
Phelps's house, and it is the same that the Indian com- 
mander on the night after the town was burnt, March 13, 
1676, conversed from, (being the garrison he had taken 
possession of,) with Capt. Parker in his garrison, which is 
known to have stood on or near the site of Dr. A. B. Ban- 
croft's house. The late William Nutting, Esq., was his 
lineal descendant. 

Parish. 

John Parish was an original proprietor of Groton, and 
owned a five acre right. His house lot was on the high- 
way leading to Cold Spring. The name appears only in 
the very early records of Groton. 

Farmer says, John Paris, probably the same person, 
was representative of Groton, first on record, in 1689. 
He was one of the selectmen a few years. 



^ 






^=<: 













,4 



^ 







281 



Parke r. 



There appear to have been more persons of this name 
born in Groton, than of any other, and the name is and 
ever has been very common throughout New England. 
Two of the name, James and Joseph, were original pro- 
prietors of Groton ; James of a fifty acre, and Joseph of a 
twenty acre right. They were probably brothers ; but 
of Joseph very little is known. Some of the families in 
the Appendix may have sprung from him. 

James's house lot lay on both sides of the principal 
street near the centre, on the south side of the brook 
which bears his name, comprising the farm of Dr. Amos 
Bancroft. Being one of the largest proprietors, and also 
a purchaser when lands were sold, he had many lots in 
all parts of the town. 

James Parker was a very distinguished and extraor- 
dinary man. He was probably a petitioner, as well as a 
large proprietor and early settler of Groton. He was also 
a petitioner and proprietor of Dunstable ; and, as is be- 
lieved, of Chelmsford and Billerica. Previous to his 
settling in Groton, he lived in Woburn, Chelmsford, and 
probably Reading. He was one of the first board of 
selectmen, chosen by the inhabitants of Groton in Decem- 
ber, 1662. He is then called Deacon, next year Serjeant, 
and sometimes afterwards during the remainder of his 
life, Captain James Parker. At a meeting of the pro- 
prietors of Dunstable, a little after this time, held at 
Woburn, he was chosen a selectman of Dunstable, though 
an inhabitant of Groton. He was successively chosen a 
selectman of Groton in most of the years from 1662 to 
1699, when chosen for the last time. During this period 
he was moderator of most of the town meetings, a mem- 
ber and chairman of all important committees, chosen to 
locate highways, lay out lands, establish boundaries of the 
town, and in fine, to transact all business of a municipal, 
36 



282 PARKER. 

parochial or public nature. He was a very active, noted, 
and, as is presumed, a very brave officer, in the wars with 
the Indians. He was probably town clerk the year after 
the return of the inhabitants, when they had been driven 
off by the Indians ; but no records appear to have been 
kept that year ; one document only shows his signature 
as town clerk. His chirography ^ was peculiar, and very 
difficult to be read at this day. He was chosen, October 
30, 1693, to represent the town in the General Court in 
November of that year. 

Capt. James Parker married Elizabeth Long, of Wo- 
burn. May 23, 1643, by whom he had eleven children j 
but neither John nor Joseph are mentioned in his will ; 
perhaps they had died, and if they left children, these 
would be included in the devise to " grandchildren." 

In advanced life, he married Eunice , a widow, by 

whom he had one daughter, Sarah. His care of this 
child of his old age, being born when he was about four- 
score years old, is seen in his will. As that document 
may not be wholly uninteresting, especially to his des- 
cendants, it is here inserted entire : 

" In the name of God, Amen. I, James Parker, of 
Groton, in the county of Middlesex, province of Massa- 
chusetts Bay, in New England, 25th of May, 1700, being 
weak of body, but of good and perfect memory and under- 
standing, thanks be to God for it, having arrived at the 
age of fourscore and three years, or thereabouts, calling to 
remembrance the uncertainty of this life, and that all men 
must die when it shall please God, I make, constitute, 
ordain, and declare this my last will and testament, in 
manner and form following, revoking and annulling by 
these presents, all testaments, will and wills heretofore by 
me made, either by word or writing, and this to be taken 
only for my last will and testament, and no other. 

^ See fac-simile. 



PARKER. 283 

" First of all, I give and commit my soul to Almighty- 
God, my Saviour, in whom I trust I shall be saved, and 
that my soul with my body shall rise again with joy, 
through the merits of Christ ; and my body to be decently 
and Christianly buried, at the discretion of my executor 
hereinafter named and appointed. 

" And nextly, for the settling of my estate and goods, as 
it hath pleased God to bestow upon me, I do order, give 
and dispose of the same in manner and form following, 
that is to say — 

" First, I will that all the debts and liabilities to any 
person whatsoever, shall be well and truly contented and 
paid, within convenient time after my decease, by my 
executor hereinafter named, and all funeral charges. 

" I give and bequeath to my well-beloved wife, Eunice 
Parker, £40 in current money of New England, or equi- 
valent to money, within the space of twelve months after 
my decease, or when she shall call for it ; also to live in 
my house during my widow,^ in the west end of the 
house, and all the household things now in that room, 
during my widow, except the bed and furniture belong- 
ing to it to continue there, and not to be made use of 
except it be upon special occasions ; and also her own 
things, of her former husband's estate, to continue with- 
out interruption ; also two acres of land and the orchard 
at the well-gate, to make use of upon as reasonable terms 
as any person, during my widow. 

" I bequeath and give the improvement of all my house 
and land on the west side of the highway, for the bring- 
ing up of my daughter Sarah, till she is eighteen years of 
age, or till marriage, and also half my deer-hedge lot, for 
a wood lot for the abovenamed house and land ; and also 
the west end of Gibbet Hill, from the ten acres of land 
which I bought of the widow Lawrence. 

* That is, while she remains my widow. 



284 PARKER. 

" I will and bequeath to my daughter, Elizabeth Gary, 
£20 in money or in money equivalent, to be paid within 
the space of twelve months from my decease. 

" I give and bequeath to my daughter, Hannah Blood, 
£5 in money, to be paid in five months after my decease. 

" I give and bequeath to Elizabeth Parker, the daughter 
of my son Zachariah Parker, deceased, one ten-acre right 
of the land in the town of Groton in all divisions, or £30 
in money, which I promised in a writing to give, all to 
be at the discretion of my executor. 

"I give and bequeath unto Abiel Parker, the daughter 
of my son Joshua Parker, deceased, £10 in money, or 
equivalent thereto, to be paid her at eighteen years old, 
or at marriage day. Also a grandchild's portion. 

" I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah, £40 in or 
as money, to be paid her at eighteen years of age, or at 
marriage, to be paid her out of my houses and lands on 
the west side of the highway by Broad meadow, if she 
desire it, and the meadow, that belongs to a ten-acre right 
of my meadow undisposed of. Also, I give unto my 
daughter half my deer-hedge lot on that side next James 
Nutting's land. 

" I give and bequeath to my grandchildren all the rest of 
my land and estate, in houses, moveables, and whatever 
else, equally, according to the discretion of my executor, 
the former debts and legacies being paid. 

" And also, whereas I have given to several of my sons, 
James, Josiah, Samuel, Zachariah and Eleazer Parker, 
my natural * sons, three several proportions in land and 
otherwise, I do ordain and will, that the ten-acre right, 
which I have given to them, be reckoned as their full 
portions, neither one of them to make any further demand 
or charge for any part of my estate. 

" I give and bequeath to my daughter Sarah Parker, my 

^ That is, own sons, and not sons-in-law, probably meant. 



PAHEER — PRESCOTT. 285 

best feather bed, and the end curtains and green rug, and 
all tackling to it. 

" Finally, I do, by these presents, intreat and request, 
authorize and appoint my son Josiah Parker, of Cam- 
bridge, in the county of Middlesex, in New England, in 
the province of the Massachusetts, my sole executor, 
hoping and trusting he will honestly and equally see to 
it, that it be done according to my true intent and mean- 
ing, without partiality, and in special manner to have the 
oversight of my daughter Sarah Parker.^ 

James Parker and Seal." 

It is highly probable, that all the numerous families of 
this town, Shirley, and Pepperell, are descendants of Capt. 
James Parker and Joseph Parker. Hon. Leonard M. 
Parker, of Shirley, and his brothers and sisters, are the 
descendants, in the sixth generation, from James, through 
James, Jr., Phinehas, Leonard, and James. 

Prescott. 

The name of Prescott deservedly holds a conspicuous 
place in the annals of Groton. John, the first of whom 
we have any precise and authentic account, was born in 
Lancashire, England, and married Mary Platts, of York- 
shire, by whom he had three sons and four daughters. 
On leaving England, he first went to Barbadoes, where he 
was a proprietor of lands, in 1638. About the year 1640, 
he came to Massachusetts, first stopped at Watertown, 
but soon settled at Nashua, afterwards incorporated and 



^ This Sarah, so often named in the will, married Capt. Jeremiah Shat- 
tuck, of Pepperell, July 7, 1724. Jeremiah Shattuck's mother was Eliza- 
beth, a daughter of Nathaniel Blood, who married Hannah, second daughter 
of Capt. James Parker; so that this same Sarah married her own father's 
great-grandson. 



286 PRESCOTT. 

called Lancaster, probably from his native county in old 
England. He was a blacksmith by occupation, and was 
also a builder of mills. He had in his possession, brought 
from England, a coat of mail, armour,^ and habiliments 
complete, such as were worn by field officers of that day ; 
whence it has been supposed, that he or some of his 
ancestors were warriors, and some one of them might 
have received the order of knighthood. 

John Prescott had three sons, John, Jonathan, and 
Jonas. The last of these only will be noticed in this 
sketch. 

Jonas Prescott was born at Lancaster, Massachusetts, 
June, 1648. He, or his father for him, built the mill in 
the south part of the town, now within the limits of 
Harvard, as has been stated in a former chapter ; and 
having purchased a thirty acre right, and bought lands of 

* Of this armour and its owner the following anecdotes are told : — 
" John was a sturdy, strong man of a stern countenance, and whenever he 
had any difficulty with the Indians, he would clothe himself with his coat 
of mail, helmet, cuirass, and gorget, which gave him a fierce and frightful 
appearance. They having once stolen from him a horse, he put on his 
armour and pursued them ; and in a short time overtook the party. They 
were surprised to see him alone, and a chief approached him with uplifted 
tomahawk. John told him to strike, which he did, and finding the blow made 
no impression on his cap, he was much astonished, and asked John to let him 
put it on, and then strike on his head, as he had done on John's. The hel- 
met baing too small for the chief's head, the stroke settled it down to his 
ears, scraping off the skin on both sides of his head. They gave him up his 
horse, thinking him to be a supernatural being." 

" At another time, the Indians set fire to his barn. Old John put on his 
armour, rushed out, drove them off, and let out his cattle and horses from the 
burning stable." " Again, the Indians set fire to his saw-mill. The old 
man, armed cap-a-pie, as before, drove them off and extinguished the fire," 
" Once more, they attacked John's house. He had several muskets in the 
house, which his wife loaded, and he discharged upon them with fatal effect. 
The contest continued nearly half an hour, John all the while giving orders, 
as if to soldiers, so loud the Indians could hear him, to load their muskets, 
though he had no soldiers but his wife. At length they withdrew, carrying 
off several of their dead or wounded." 



PRESCOTT. 287 

individuals/'' he became one of the largest landholders in 
the town. He received no devise, legacy, or inheritance 
from his father, who stated in his will, that he had re- 
ceived his full proportion, in the mill and land at Mona- 
focus, (probably the Indian name of the place where 
the mill stood,) still called the "Old Mill," in Harvard. 
He married Mary," the only daughter of John Loker, 
of Sudbury, by whom he had four sons and eight daugh- 
ters. Two of the sons died young ; all the other 
children married, and were blest with a numerous off- 
spring. The eight daughters, (except Dorothy, who 
married John Varnum, Esq., of Dracutt,) all married into 
respectable families in Groton, and having many children. 



'" Of one of his purchases there is a record made by himself, when town 
clerk, consisting of one hundred and one acres, lying " on both sides of 
Stoney brook," for eighty acres of which he gave three thousand feet of 
boards, and four pounds in corn and smith-work. 

" A romantic story has come down, by family tradition, to the present 
generation, of the courtship of this loving pair of fruitful progenitors, and is 
still preserved with much accuracy, it is presumed, as a nursery tale. John 
Loker, of whom we have no other account than as connected with this affair 
is said to have been wealthy, and he and his wife to have been somewhat 
aristocratic in their feelings and notions Having only one daughter, and she 
exceedingly fair and of good promise, they disdained to betroth her to a black- 
smith, the son of a blacksmith, however rich and otherwise unexceptionable he 
might be. They had set their hearts upon Mary's marrying a lawyer. So 
when they found that there was a strong attachment between their idoL the 
fair Mary, and the young blacksmith, they remonstrated, but unwittin^^ur- 
sued a direct course to foster and strengthen it. They forbade his entering 
their house, or having any communication whatever with their daughter ; and 
the more effectually to prevent any intercourse, they grated the windows of 
her apartment in the house ; and when they thought there was any danger 
of an interview between them, they locked her in. Jonas, however, was 
not to be baffled by grates and locks. He took opportunities, when the cold 
night wind blew, and the pelting storm raged, when no listener could over- 
hear the soft whispering of true lovers, to place himself beneath her grated 
window, and there enjoy sweet communion with his dearly-beloved. Their 
intercourse was soon discovered by the chagrined parents ; and the next expe- 
dient resorted to was to place Mary in some secluded spot, under the care of 
some watchful and faithful guardian. Chockset, now called Sterling, then a 
frontier settlement, was chosen as the place of her seclusion. Jonas searched 



288 PRESCOTT. 

their posterity soon became a multitude. His house and 
blacksmith's shop stood between the present residence of 
the Hon. Stuart J. Park and the brook. Upon the reset- 
tlement of the town, after its destruction by the Indians, 
he built mills at Forge village, now in Westford, but 
then in Groton, as has already been stated. He was 
town clerk in 1691, a selectman several years, a captain 
of the militia, a justice of the peace, and represented the 
town in the General Court in 1699, and 1705. He 
was much employed in business of a public nature, 
taking a similar station in the community to that of Capt. 
James Parker before him. He died December 31, 1723, 
aet. 75 years. In his will, which in the introductory part 
is very similar to that of Capt. J. Parker, before recited, 
he gives his wife the use and improvement of all his real 

the country around, and made diligent inquiry to find the place of her banish- 
ment, for some time in vain. At length, being one day in the wilds of 
Chockset, he made his usual inquiry of some young men he saw, if they had 
any pretty girls in their neighborhood. They told him there was to be a 
quilting that very day, where all their girls would be ; that they themselves 
were going in the evening to dance with tiiem, and invited him to be one of 
the party, where he might see for himself. He cheerfully accepted the 
invitation ., and on arriving at the cottage where the seamstresses of the 
settlement were assembled, whom should he there find, but his adored Mary 
Loker. This was indeed a happy adventure. Concealinig, as well as they 
could, their former acquaintance, they took opportunities to be partners in 
the dance, and made assignments for future meetings. Having thus fortu- 
nately discovered the place of her banishment, he renewed his visits, till her 
parents finding it out, took her home. She was then sternly told, that she 
must reject the blacksmith,' and receive the addresses of the lawyer. She 
resolutely replied, " she would never marry to any one but Jonas Prescott." 
The rejoinder was, " Then you shall never have a farthing of our property." 
To this there was a general demurrer; a decree for marriage without dowry 
followed. The consummation took place before even the most common 
utensils for housekeeping could be procured; (some delay might have been 
made, to see if the old folks would not relent, and provide her some ;) the 
tradition positively asserts, that her only implement for boiling was a two 
quart kettle, and her wash-tub, the shell of a large pumpkin. From this 
happy pair sprung the doctors, warriors, civilians, statesmen, noticed in the 
text ; with other numerous descendants, of whom Mary lived to see one 
hundred and seventy-five. 



PRESCOTT. 289 

estate during her life, and makes her residuary legatee of 
his personal estate, and executrix of his will. To Jonas, Jr. 
he gives one cow, and from expressions used, he had 
probably given him his lands and mills at the forge by 
deed before. To Benjamin, his real estate, after the death 
of his widow ; to six of his daughters, viz., Elizabeth 
Green, Dorothy Varnum, Abigail Parker, Martha Hobart 
and Susanna Lawrence, forty pounds each ; and to each 
of the children of his deceased daughters, Sarah Longley 
and Deborah Parker, four pounds each. 

Jonas Prescott, Jr., eldest son of the aforenamed Jonas, 
born October 26, 1678, lived at Forge village, tailing the 
part of the real estate which his father had owned in that 
part of the town, and greatly enlarged and improved the 
works on Stoney brook, by erecting forges for manufac- 
turing iron from the ore, as well as other purposes. In 
1730, a part of Groton, including this village, upon the 
petition of him and others, was set off from Groton to 
Westford. See Chapter V. 

He married Thankful Wheeler, of Concord, October 
15, 1699, by whom he had two sons and two daughters. 
His descendants are numerous and respectable, a number 
of them have received a collegiate education, and prac- 
tised in the learned professions. He succeeded his father 
in the offices of captain of the militia, justice of the peace, 
and represented the town in the General Court in 1720. 

The water privilege and works on Stoney brook at 
Forge village, have never, since the purchase from An- 
drew, the Indian, been entirely owned by other than 
Prescotts. 

Benjamin Prescott, the youngest son of Jonas, Sen. 
born January 4, 1695-6, married Abigail, the daughter 
of the Hon, Thomas Oliver of Cambridge, by whom he 
had three sons and four daughters. He built a house a 
little easterly of his father's, on the precise spot where the 
37 



290 PBESCOTT. 

Hon. Stuart J. Park's now stands, where he lived till his 
death. 

He was a man of very superior talents, and sustained a 
character which the best of men might envy. His per- 
sonal appearance is said to have indicated the excellence 
of his mental endowments, so that a ^'^ stranger might at 
once perceive that he was no ordinary man. In 1717, he 
was appointed lieutenant of the first company of foot ; in 
1724, a lieutenant of a company of " snow-shoe men," 
raised to protect the town from Indian invasion ; in 1723, 
he first represented the town in the General Court, in 
which station he stood eight years. ^^ j^ 1724, he was 
commissioned a justice of the peace, and afterwards, 
quorum unus ; in 1732, a lieutenant colonel in a Middlesex 
and Worcester regiment; in 1735, a justice of the supe- 
rior court, to try a particular case in the county of Wor- 
cester ; and finally, in 1735, the year of his death, he 
was chosen agent of the province to the court of Great 
Britain, which office he declined, on account of not 
having had the small pox, which disease was prevalent at 
the time. The Hon, Mr. Q.uincy, chosen in his stead, 
took the disease and died on his mission. 

This truly eminent and useful man died in the prime 
of life, August 3, 1735, of a surfeit, caused by great exer- 
tion to save some hay from a shower. No physician in 

^^ It is said, that on a certain occasion, a Scotchman observing him, re- 
marked to his friend in his broad dialect, " Fronk, Fronk, do you see that 
young man ? He will be one very great man, a very great one." 

'^ One day, in the house of representatives, when Frescott was a young 
member, there appeared some difficulty in disposing of a certain subject in 
the view of the majority of the members. He moved that it be recommitted, 
suggesting that the difficulty might thus be removed. A prominent les^der 
in the house rose and said, " I second that motion, and move that tKe young 
gentleman be the committee." This was said in derision, but taken in 
earnest, carried, and soon Mr. Prescott returned a report, which presented 
the whole subject in so clear a light, that his reputation was at once estab- 
lished, as a man of uncommon good sense and sagacity. 



( 



PKE SCOTT, 291 

whom he could trust was to be had short of Sudbury. 
His wife survived him twenty-seven years. Three of 
their daughters died without issue. Elizabeth married 
Abijah Wiilard of Lancaster. 

James Prescott, eldest son of the aforesaid Benjamin, 
born January 13, 1720-1, married his cousin, Susanna, 
daughter of Col. William Lawrence, by whom he had six 
sons and three daughters. He was much engaged during 
a long life in business of a public nature. In the militia 
he passed through all the grades of office, from ensign of 
a company, to colonel of a regiment. Besides being 
chosen to the most important offices in town affairs, he 
was chosen representative fourteen years, and afterwards 
was a member of the senate, and of the executive council 
many years. At the commencement of the Revolutionary 
war, he was a member of the Provincial Congress, and of 
the board of war. He was for some time sheriff of the 
county of Middlesex, and after the war, a judge of the 
court of common pleas. 

He was clerk of the proprietors of Groton for the last 
fifty years of his life, and was otherwise employed by 
them in the laying out and division of common lands. 
This gave him an opportunity to become accurately ac- 
quainted with the quality, price and titles of lands, and by 
purchase of unsatisfied rights, he became a very large pro- 
prietor. Yet upon the settlement of his estate it was 
found insolvent. He . lived in the house where Capt. 
Phinehas G. Prescott now lives, and there died, February 
15, 1800. His wife survived him nearly six years. 

William Prescott, the second son of the aforesaid Ben- 
jamin, removed from his birth-place after the death of his 
father., and while a minor, to that part of his father's estate 
which is now in Pepperell ; probably the land given by 
the proprietors for services in procuring the grant of Groton 
Gore, as has been related in a former chapter. A notice 



292 PRESCOTT. 

of him will more properly come in the history of Pep- 
perell. 

Oliver Prescott, the youngest son of the aforesaid Ben- 
jamin, born April 27, 1731, married Lydia Baldwin, (of 
Sudbury,) by whom he had ten children, two of whom 
died in infancy, and four more unmarried. 

He was educated at Harvard College, and received his 
first degree in 1750, and his second in 1753. He was 
bred a physician ; studied his profession under ^'^ Dr. 
Robey, of East Sudbury, (now Wayland,) an eminent 
physician of that time, settled in his native town, had 
an extensive practice, and became eminent in his pro- 
fession. 

He was much employed in municipal and parochial 
matters, sustaining the office of town clerk thirteen years, 
and that of selectman thirty-two years, being in that office 
at his decease. 

He also stood high as a military character, holding the 
respective offices of major, lieutenant colonel, colonel and 
brigadier general, before the Revolution. In 1778, he 
was appointed third major general of the militia, and in 
1781, second major general, but soon after resigned on 
account of ill health. 

He was a justice throughout the Commonwealth, a 
member of the board of war, a member of the council of 
Massachusetts from 1777, till he declined the office, and 
in 1779, was appointed judge of probate for tlie county 
of Middlesex, which office he retained till his death, giv- 
ing universal satisfaction by the urbanity of his manner, 
as well as by his impartiality and fidelity in the discharge 
of the duties of that office. 

He was a member of the Massachusetts Medical Society 
at the time of its incorporation ; president of the Middlesex 



'■• Dr. Robey studied his profession in Germany, as a pupil of the celebrated 
Boerhave. 



PRESCOTT. 293 

Medical Society for many years ; a member of the New 
Hampshire Medical Society, and of the Middlesex Agri- 
cultural Society from its first establishment, and a mem- 
ber of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences at its 
incorporation. In 1791, the degree of M. D. was con- 
ferred upon him, pro honoris causa, by Harvard Univer- 
sity. " He always retained," says one well acquainted 
with him, " a peculiar suavity and politeness of manner, 
a pleasant facetiousness joined to that gentlemanly deport- 
ment so well calculated to command both esteem and re- 
spect." He died at his mansion-house in Groton, No- 
vember 17, 1804. His wife had died six years previous. 

Benjamin Prescott, the eldest son of Col. James Pres- 
cott, was killed at the battle of Bunker hill. 

Abijah, Abel and both Williams, his other sons, died 
unmarried, as did the first Sarah, his daughter. 

Susanna, his daughter, married Rev. Daniel Chaplin, 
of whom a notice is found in another chapter. 

The second Sarah is still living, unmarried. 

James Prescott, the youngest son of Col. James, born 
April 19, 1766, married Hannah, the daughter of the Hon. 
Ebenezer Champney, by whom he had three sons and 
seven daughters. All these are dead except Susan, the 
wife of John Wright, Esq., of Lowell, Lucretia, the wife 
of Mr. Williams, of Griggsvilie, Illinois, Lucy, the wife 
"of Dr. Joseph Reynolds, of Gloucester, and Hannah Maria, 
wife of Charles A. Hamilton, of Worcester. He was 
educated at Harvard College; graduated in 1788; read 
law and commenced practice in Westford, where he re- 
mained about ten years, and then returned to his native 
town. Soon after, upon the death of his uncle, Oliver, 
he was appointed to his place as judge of probate, and 
chief justice of the court of common pleas for the county 
of Middlesex. The last office he held but a short time, 
the court being remodelled and he not reappointed, on 
political grounds. One, who well knew him, says, " He 



294 PRESCOTT. 

possessed a strong discriminating mind, was a good classi- 
cal scholar, a learned lawyer, and is entitled to have the 
credit of having reduced the proceedings in the probate 
court, to a system more correct than had been adopted, at 
that time, by any other court in the State. But, unhap- 
pily, he had a harsh temper, which rendered him unpopu- 
lar, and he was removed from the office in 1821. He 
died October 14, 1829. His wife survived him a few 
years. 

Oliver Prescott, Jr., first son of the aforenamed Dr. 
Oliver, born April 4, 1762, married Nancy, the daughter 
of Capt. Leonard Whiting, of Hollis, New Hampshire, by 
whom he had three sons and six daughters. He was pre- 
pared for Harvard College under the tuition of the cele- 
brated Master Moody, at Dummer's school in Byfield, and- 
entered in 1779. He received the degrees of A. B., and 
A. M., in due course, and studied medicine with his 
father, and with Dr. Lloyd, of Boston. He settled in his 
native town, and had an extensive practice in his profes- 
sion in that and other towns in the vicinity. He was 
appointed surgeon in Gen. Lincoln's army raised to sup- 
press the Shays rebellion, and accompanied the expedition 
in the severe winter of 1787. 

In 1813, he was appointed by the Massachusetts Medi- 
cal Society to deliver their annual dissertation. This, 
service he performed with much credit to himself and 
usefulness to the faculty. His subject was the " botanical 
history and medical virtues of serale cornutumy This 
dissertation being published, was soon after republished in 
Philadelphia and London, and being translated, published 
also in France and Germany, and inserted in the French 
dictionary, Des Sciences Medicates, word Ergot. The 
following year he received the degree of M. D.,pro honoris 
causa, at Harvard University. 

In addition to his eminence as a physician, he was an 
agriculturalist and civilian. He was a member of the 



PRESCOTT. 295 

"Massachusetts Agricultural Society, and president of the 
Western Middlesex Society of Husbandmen. In 1789, 
he was commissioned a Justice of the Peace, and quorum, 
unus in 1811. He was town clerk and chairman of the 
selectmen from 1804 to 1811, and represented the town 
in the General Court in 1809 and 1810. 

In literary and charitable institutions, also, he was a 
prominent member, sustaining the highest offices in the 
several masonic institutions to which he belonged, and 
being a trustee of Groton Academy from its incorporation, 
till his removal from Groton, and afterwards of his alma 
mater, Dummer Academy. In 1811, he with his family 
removed to Newburyport, in order to pursue his profession 
in a manner more congenial to his health. 

His companion both in preparatory studies and in 
college, says of him, " His natural parts were good. He 
had a quick mind, retentive memory, and sound under- 
standing. He loved books, and had improved his mind 
by a rather extensive, though miscellaneous reading, out 
of his profession ; in it, he was considered learned and 
skillful in practice, a better physician than his father, 
though never so popular. His intentions were always 
right, and his conduct was open, manly, and upright. In 
private life he was always a faithful friend." 

September 13, 1821, died his amiable and affectionate 
consort. He afterwards married Elizabeth, widow of 
Thomas Oliver, Esq., of Boston. He died at Newbury- 
port, September 26, 1827. Three of his children, two 
sons and a daughter, died before his decease ; the other 
six, all well educated and accomplished, still survive, and 
hold respectable stations in society. 

Lucy, a daughter of Dr. Oliver Prescott, Sen., married 
Hon. Timothy Bigelow, son of Col. Timothy Bigelow 
of Worcester, who commanded one of the Massachusetts 
regiments in the revolutionary war. As this distinguished 
man deserves a notice, though not of a Groton family, 



296 BIGELOW. 

and having resided here less than twenty years, it will be 
given in this family connection. 

Timothy Bigelow was born April 30, 1767 ; graduated 
at Harvard College in 1786 ; read law with Hon. Levi 
Lincoln, Sen. ; and opened an office in Groton in 1789. 
He married the abovenamed Lucy Prescott, September, 
1791, by whom he had five sons and four daughters. 
He was eminently successful in the practice of his pro- 
fession, a sound lawyer, and distinguished advocate and 
counsellor. He was chosen representative of the town in 
1793, and in each of the next succeeding thirteen years, 
except 1803. In 1802, he was chosen one of the exe- 
cutive council, and taken from the house of representatives 
to fill that station, in which he served two years. In 
October, 1806, he removed with his family from Groton to 
Medford, and opened an office for practice in Boston. He 
represented the town of Medford in General Court, most, 
if not all the years from his removal there to that of his 
death. He was senator for Middlesex from 1797 to 1801, 
and councillor again in 1821. He possessed an admirable 
talent for presiding in deliberative and other assemblies, and 
had opportunity to exercise that talent, by being speaker 
of the house of representatives for eleven years, as well as 
by presiding in numerous literary and charitable societies, 
of which he was a member. Law and politics were not 
the only sciences in which he excelled. He was a great 
student and general reader. Books in all the liberal arts 
and sciences were his familiar acquaintances. 

His conversation in private and social circles of his 
friends was highly exhilerating, and none ever spent an 
hour in his presence, on such occasions, without enjoying 
a rich feast of intellectual entertainment. 

He died May 18, 1821, aet. 54 His widow still sur- 
vives, as do six of their children, viz. 

Katharine, the wife of the Hon. Abbott Lawrence, of 
Boston. 



PRESCOTT. 297 

Rev, Andrew Bigelow, D.D., first ordained at Medford, 
afterwards at Taunton, at Danvers, and now is minister at 
large, resident in Boston, 

John P. Bigelow, late Secretary of the Commonwealth, 
now one of the Executive Council, 

Helen Bigelow resides with her mother at the mansion- 
house in Medford, 

Col, Francis R. Bigelow resides on his paternal estate, 
with his mother. 

Elizabeth married Heiny Stevens, a respectable mer- 
chant in the city of New York. 

Samuel Jackson Prescott, another son of Dr, O, Pres- 
cott, Sen., born March 15, 1773, married Margaret Hiller, 
daughter of Joseph Hiller, Esq., by whom he had two 
sons and two daughters. He was graduated at Harvard 
college in 1795, and read law ; but after admission to the 
bar, he left- the profession, owing to a deafness, and 
engaged in merchandise. In this business he was unfor- 
tunate, owing to the embargo of 1807, the non-inter- 
course, and the war with Great Britain which ensued. 
He then became an acting magistrate and notary-public 
for Suffolk county, and now resides in the city of Boston. 

Mary Jackson, youngest daughter of Dr, O, Prescott, 
Sen. married first John Little, Esq., by whom she had a 
daughter, who died in infancy ; and he died about four 
years after marriage. She afterwards married the Hon. 
Lathrop Lewis, of Gorham, Maine, by whom she had 
two daughters and a son. One daughter and the son died 
young, and the other daughter, after having been twice 
married, died. She now resides in Gorham. 

The advantages which the family of Prescotts pos- 
sessed, in wealth, talents corporeal and intellectual, aided 
by education, and their connection with the most respect- 
able families by their numerous intermarriages, gave them 
a controlling influence in the moral, social and municipal 
38 



298 SARTELL. 

affairs of the town. Hence, better regulations, and a 
more refined state of morals and manners existed in former 
times in Groton, than in most country towns in the 
vicinity. 

Sartell. 

A family of this name came from England about the 
beginning of the last century, and settled in Groton. 
The name of the father of this family was Nathaniel ; 
and the present Dea. Nathaniel, of Pepperell, is the fifth 
of that name, in regular descent from him. He lived and 
died where Eber Woods now lives. He had two sons 
and two daughters ; Nathaniel, Josiah, Sarah, and Mar- 
garet. About the time of his immigration he crossed the 
ocean several times ; and at one time, February 14, 1718, 
his vessel and crew were lost in the Bay of Bellisle. He 
swam, with the cabin boy on his back, to a rock, where 
he remained during the night ; but the boy was swept off 
by a wave. In the morning he was rescued, when 
nearly exhausted. His son Nathaniel resided in Charles- 
town, and was a mariner. He sailed on a voyage the 
next day after the birth of a son, and was never after 
heard of. This infant was named Nathaniel, and was the 
late Lieut. N. Sartell, who lived in the easterly part of 
Groton. 

Josiah Sartell, second son of the first Nathaniel, was 
the munificent donor of three farms and other property to 
the town and church of Groton, the proceeds of which 
constitute the greater part of the ministerial fund, as is 
particularly stated in Chapter X. He married Mary 
Green, by whom he had two sons and two daughters, all 
of whom died in their minority. He was an acting 
justice of the peace, a colonel in the militia, representa- 
tive in the General Court in 1776, and an influential 
character within the circle of his acquaintance. He died 
August 30, 1784. 



SAWTELL SHATTUCK. 299 

Sarah, eldest sister of the last named, is said to have 
been nine years old when the family came to America. 
She married the Rev. Solomon Prentice, of Hassanamisco, 
now Grafton, by whom she had nine children. It is said, 
her father not pleased with her marrying a poor country 
clergyman, gave her no dowry, though abundantly able. 
One of her daughters married Amos Binney, and another 
William Brigham, both of whom have descendants in 
Boston. 

Margaret, the other daughter, was never married. 

Sawtell. 

Inhabitants of this name have resided in Groton ever 
since its first settlement. Three were original proprietors ; 
Richard and two of his sons, Jonathan and Zachariah. 
They came from Watertown. Richard was town clerk 
the three first years in which records were made. Many 
of his descendants have sustained offices of trust in the 
town, church, and militia. Nathaniel was representative 
in the General Court three years. Some of the name 
were the first settlers in that part of Groton which now 
constitutes Shirley. 

Shattuck. 

The ancestor of most, if not all, of this name, in New 
England, is William Shattuck of Watertown. At what 
time he came to this country is not precisely known. 
He was at Watertown some time about 1640, and pos- 
sessed a large estate. He died August 14, 1672, and left 
a numerous family of children, as appears by his will. 

The first appearance of the name at Groton, is in a 
mutilated record, of which the following is a copy of 
what remains legible : "November 27, 1664. The town 
hath granted unto John Shadock an allotment con- 



300 



SHATTUCK. 



taining a single man's proportion, upon condition that 
he shall pay the town charges, both civil and eccle- 
siastical, that heretofore hath risen, or hereafter . . arise, 
as the due proportion of such an allotment, and secondly, 
the use of two . . . meadow, lying upon Cowpond 
brook, .... provided he abide .... constantly and 
continually .... the wants of each " 

There is satisfactory evidence that the said John Shat- 
tuck, named in this record, was the son of the afore- 
named William. It does not appear, that he ever came 
to Groton to reside. He was drowned in crossing 
Charlestown ferry, September 14, 1675. He left a 
widow, (whose maiden name was Ruth Whitney, and 
who afterwards married Enosh Lawrence,) and four 
children, John, William, Samuel, and Ruth. All these 
came to Groton, and probably took the "allotment " made 
to the father, which was situated in the north part of the 
town. Their families (a part of them at least) appear in 
the Appendix. This last John, and his son John, were 
killed by the Indians. 

The next family in the catalogue at Groton is that of 
William ^^ and his two wives, Abigail Shattuck and 
Margaret Lund. By the first he had three sons and two 
daughters, and by the last, two sons and one daughter. 
His youngest son is the immediate ancestor of most of 
the Shattucks in Groton at this time, and is deserving a 
particular notice. 

Job Shattuck, born February 11, 1735-6, was some- 
what distinguished as a military character. His first 
enlistment was at the age of nineteen, in a company of 
Col. Monkton's troops, sent to drive the French from 



'* This commences a new stock, for the record of the Rev. Mr. Brad- 
street, under the title of JViiptite, stands thus: "1710-11, Mar. 15, Guil. 
Shattock, Abigalli Shattock, ambo de Grotonia, anibo bastardi.'' 



SHATTUCK. 301 

their encroachments on the English settlements in Nova 
Scotia. It is said, that being small of his age, he used 
a stratagem to appear tall, that he might pass muster. 
There is no evidence that he performed any service in 
the French war, other than in this campaign, which was 
short, but successful. 

February 25, 1776, he received a captain's commission 
from the Council of Massachusetts, for a short time only, 
ending on the first of April following. Under this com- 
mission, he marched with a company of seventy-five men, 
exclusive of subalterns and musicians, to Boston, about 
the time that town was evacuated by the British troops. 
This service lasted only eight days, hi 1776, he com- 
manded a company raised in Groton and the neighboring 
towns, and marched with them to Ticonderoga and 
Saratoga, and returned in January, 1777. In July, 1779, 
he received a captain's commission from the Council of 
Massachusetts, of the second company in the sixth regi- 
ment of Massachusetts militia, which office, it is sup- 
posed, he held till the peace. 

He was an active and energetic agent in raising recruits 
for the army, during the revolutionary war. His two 
oldest sons enlisted and served therein for some time. 
He was strong and athletic, and an ardent advocate for 
liberty in its most extensive sense ; but being without 
education, and the power of discerning the best means to 
attain and preserve it, he hastily engaged in measures, 
which, if they proved unsuccessful, must be disastrous to 
the actors therein, and if successful, destructive to the 
country. This is exemplified in the part he took in 
Shays's rebellion, related in another chapter. 

He first married Sarah Hartwell, by whom he had five 
sons and four daughters, and afterwards Elizabeth, widow 
of John Gragg. His five sons all married and had families 
in Groton. The youngest son, Noah Shattuck, Esq., still 
survives. 



302 stone tarbell. 

Stone. 

This has ever been a prevalent name in the south part of 
Groton. Deacon Simon Stone was an original proprietor, 
having an eighteen acre right. He was probably the son 
of Deacon Simon Stone of Watertown. The name does 
not appear in the records of Groton till the resettlement of 
the town, after it had been burnt. Simon and John, 
probably sons of Deacon Simon, were often chosen into 
town office, and Simon was representative in the year 
170G. James, a descendant, was a deacon in the church. 

Tarbell. 

This was a rare name among the first settlers in New 
England. It does not appear in the long list of names of 
those who took the freeman's oath previous to 1669, nor 
does Farmer mention any of the name save Thomas, Sen., 
and Thomas, Jr. 

In the list of original proprietors, the name of Thomas, 
Sen., only appears, as an owner of a twenty acre right ; 
but in the laying out of lands, in smaller proportions, they 
are set to Thomas, Thomas, Jr., and John, the two latter 
probably purchasers of small rights. The name, Thomas, 
is so frequent in the diflferent families, that some confusion 
arises in tracing them all to Thomas, Sen., the original 
stock, from which they all undoubtedly sprung. One 
Thomas was town clerk in 1704, and 1705; another 
from 1731, to 1733, and from 1745, to 1756, inclusively. 
The first named was probably the father of John and 
Zachariah, the lads who were captured by the Indians, 
as related in Chapter VI., and also of William, who mar- 
ried Mary Farnsworth. William was father of another 
William, who was father of Gen. John Tarbell of Cam- 
bridge. He was also father of John, the father of Asa 
and Col. Abel Tarbell of Squannacook village. Jona- 



WOODS. 303 

than, Thomas, Ebenezer and Solomon were grandsons 
of another Thomas, who married Abigail Parker. Wil- 
liam Tarbell, now of Groton, a revolutionary pensioner, 
is son of Benjamin, who was son of the first named 
William. 

The house lot of Thomas Tarbell, Sen., was on the 
west side of Broadmeadow, not far from the site of school- 
house No. 2. 

Woods. 

This is a very common name throughout New Eng- 
land. It is believed that all or nearly all of the name in 
Groton, Shirley, Pepperell and Dunstable are descendants 
of Samuel Woods, who owned an eleven acre right, as an 
original proprietor. His house lot was where the late 
Hon. James Prescott lived, a little south of the Lawrence 
Academy, described as lying on both sides of the country 
or bay road, between the house lots of William Green on 
the north, and James Fisk on the south. 

Two of the name from Groton, Thomas and Daniel, 
were in Lovell's fight, and both were killed. 

Henry Woods was a major under Col. William Pres- 
cott at the battle of Bunker Hill. He served some time 
in the war, was promoted to the office of colonel, and 
after the war, was a general of the militia. He lived in 
that part of Groton, which upon the incorporation of 
Pepperell was within that town, and he represented it in 
the General Court two years. 

Samson Woods, son of the aforesaid Henry, was 
waiter to his father at Bunker Hill, and when the Ameri- 
cans were retreating, he loaded himself with the knap- 
sacks of two slain soldiers, and on getting over a rail 
fence, he being not fifteen years old, and small of his age, 
the load swung on one side of the rails and his body on 
the other. In this emergency he called for help ; but it was 



304 WOODS. 

a busy and hurrying time, each was taking care more for 
his own safety than for that of his feUows, when presently 
a cannon ball from a floating battery came to his relief, 
splitting the post next to him, and letting the rails to the 
ground. 

He was a deputy sheriff and crier of the courts for 
many years, and held several oflices in the militia. 



CHAPTER XIV. 

HISTORY OF PEPPERELL. 

Incorporation and Meeting-Houses — West Parish ; Boundaries and 
first Officers — First Meeting-House — Difficulty about its Location 
— Petition to Legislature and Committee to fix the Place — Timber 
moved — Progress of the Work — Incorporated a District — Name — 
Bill — A new Meeting-House contemplated — A Fast — Dedication 
— Remodeling — Dedication — Second Parish — Meeting-House and 
Dedication. 

That part of Groton lying west of Nashua river and 
north of the country road, as travelled a century ago from 
Groton to Townsend, was set off as a distinct precinct, or 
parish, in the year 1742, and called " Groton West 
Parish." 

At a legal meeting of said parish, held January 17, 1742, 
at the house of Mr. William Spaulding, Benjamin Swal- 
low was chosen moderator ; Eleazer Gilson, parish clerk ; 
Benjamin Swallow, Isaac Williams, James Lawrence; 
Jonathan Woods, and Joseph Whitney, committee ; Sam- 
uel Wright, treasurer ; Jonas Varnum, Moses Woods, and 
Samuel Shattuck, assessors ; and William Spaulding and 
Jeremiah Lawrence, collectors. This was undoubtedly 
the first parish meeting and organization of the parish 
under the act of the General Court by which it was incor- 
porated. At this meeting, the sum of ten pounds, lawful 
money, was voted to be assessed to defray the necessary 
charges arisen and arising in said parish. 
39 



306 WEST PARISH. 

Whilst this territory remained a parish, nothing of a 
public nature, unconnected with Groton, except of a paro- 
chial character, was transacted therein. Building a meet- 
ing-house and settling a minister, were of course the first 
and only matters which called for action, and were put on 
record. 

The second meeting was held at the house of James 
Lawrence, February 16, 1742, at which the parish voted 
to build a meeting-house, and that it should be set at 
" the most convenient place near Joseph Blood's ford- 
way ; " a well known place, between the paper-mills at 
Babbitassett and Jewett's bridge. 

About the same time, it was voted " to receive the peo- 
ple on the east side of the river, that have petitioned to be 
annexed to us, provided they will consent to have the 
meeting-house set at the most convenient place on the 
west side the river, near the bridge, next below Jo. 
Blood's ford-way, so called." 

But the momentous affairs of deciding upon a spot on 
which to set a public building, and choosing and settling 
a minister, are not usually accomplished without much 
strife and contention, and are sometimes attended with 
long and furious quarrels and expensive lawsuits. The 
reason of this, the Rev. Mr. Emerson, the first minister of 
the parish, in his sermon at the dedication of the second 
meeting-house, explains in this manner : " It hath been 
observed," says he, " that some of the hottest contentions 
in this land hath been about settling of ministers and 
building meeting-houses ; and what is the reason ? The 
devil is a great enemy to settling ministers and building 
meeting-houses ; wherefore he sets on his own children to 
work and make difficulties, and to the utmost of his power 
stirs up the corruptions of the children of God in some 
way to oppose or obstruct so good a work." 

If the true reason was assigned by the Rev. Mr. Emer- 
son, it would seem that either the west parish of Groton 



FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 307 

consisted of a large proportion of the devil's children at 
this time, or that the corruptions of the saints were too 
easily wrought upon by Satan. Before the expiration of 
a year, a parish meeting was called, a vote passed to recon- 
sider the vote fixing the place for the meeting-house, and 
another passed to place it " three fourths of a mile north- 
east of the centre of the parish, or at the next convenient 
place." The size was fixed at forty-two feet in length, 
thirty feet in breadth, and twenty feet in height. A com- 
mittee was chosen to ascertain the centre of the parish, 
and another to state the place for the house. The parish 
having been surveyed, the centre found, and the northeast 
line of three fourths of a mile run out, the site for the 
meeting-house was determined on, which was agreeable 
to the wishes of a majority of the parish, the north and 
east parts being more settled upon than the west. Some 
of the timber for the house was brought to the spot ; but 
the devil, according to the Rev. Mr. Emerson's theory, 
was busy setting on his own children, and stirring up the 
corruptions of others ; the minority, living in the centre 
and west part, being not well pleased with the location, 
with Moses Woods at their head, made such resistance to 
the proceedings of the majority, that the destruction of 
the parish was threatened. Whereupon the aid of the 
Great and General Court was invoked ; Peleg Lawrence 
and Josiah Sartell were appointed a committee to suppli- 
cate the legislature to take measures to end the dispute. 
The Great and General Court, in mercy to the distracted 
condition of the parish, appointed a committee to survey 
the place and locate the meeting-house. The parish 
chose a committee " to show the Court's committee the 
inhabitants of the place." It seems that the Court's com- 
mittee promptly attended to the business assigned them, 
and they agreed upon the spot where the first parish meet- 
ing-house in Pepperell now stands ; and the parish voted, 
February 19, 1745, " to set the meeting-house on the 



308 MEETING-HOUSE FRAME REMOVED. 

place that the General Court prefixed." Upon this final 
result, the Rev. Mr. Emerson, in the sermon above quoted, 
remarks : " One thing I cannot but mention, as a kind 
interposition of divine Providence, though considered as 
such by very few in the time, and that is, the fixing the 
place for the meeting-house, though fixed contrary to the 
mind and the vote of the majority of the inhabitants by a 
Court's committee, yet proves now to be with much more 
equity ; and where all seem to be universally contented 
with. Had it been erected in the place designed, and 
where even the timber was drawn to, what trouble, charge 
and 'tis very likely contention, we must have been exer- 
cised with before this day ! " 

The devil having been thus foiled by the Court's com- 
mittee, but not entirely " cast out," made one effort more 
to obstruct the building of a meeting-house. When the 
men, employed to remove the timber from the place 
where it had been deposited to the site determined upon, 
had assembled for the purpose, and their teams were in 
readiness to move with it, James Lakin, a leader in the 
previous minority of the parish, who were rejoiced at the 
decision of the Court's committee, took the lead with his 
team. A number of the inhabitants of the east part, 
greatly enraged at the decision, many' of whom bore the 
name of Shattuck, collected on the spot ; and when the 
teams were put in motion, they attempted to prevent their 
forward movement by pricking the noses of the oxen. 
Lakin, being a stout, strong, athletic man, and probably 
somewhat excited by the outrage, soon put the whole 
of them to rout, and let the teams quietly pass on.^ 

Soon after this the meeting-house was raised, and so 
far finished as to be occupied in the former part of the 
year 1745. But, from sundry votes passed, it seems not 



' Fame says the Shattucks, on this occasion, were piled on the road-side 
• six or eight deep." 



MEETING-HOUSE FINISHES. 309 

to have been completed, and that occasionally work was 
done upon it, and improvements made for several suc- 
ceeding years. The following are extracts from the votes 
about building and completing it. 

" Voted, that said committee frame, raise, and board the 
outside and shingle the roof, lay the under floor and make 
suitable doors and hang the same," 

— " To build the pulpit and the body seats below." — 
" To seat the meeting-house." — " Setoff the pews (or pew 
ground) to the highest payers in the three last rates." — 
" To ceil the meeting-house as high as the girths all 
around." 

— " That windows be cut where needed, provided, they 
that cut them maintain them upon their own cost, that 
they be no parish charge." 

— " To finish the building the seats in the gallery, and 
to ceil the meeting-house from the gallery floor up to the 
beams." — "To glaze the public meeting-house, and to 
provide boards to lay loose on the floor over-head," 

— " To seat the public meeting-house by the three last 
years' pay." 

— " To give the men that are seated on the fore seats 
below, liberty to set a row of bannisters (balusters) with a 
rail-stop before the fore seats, at their own cost and 
charge." 

Judging from these votes, it would seem, that this first 
house, if it were now before us in its best state, could be 
called little better than a shantee. But it served for the 
people of the west parish in Groton, and the district of 
Pepperell, for about twenty-five years, and no doubt but 
the praises and prayers therein offered were as sincere and 
as acceptable to Him, " who regardeth the heart," as those 
raised in the most magnificent temple ever constructed by 
human hands. 



310 



DISTRICT OF PEPPERELL. 



April 12, 1753, Groton west parish was made a district 
by an act of the Great and General Court, in conformity 
to a petition by the inhabitants, and named Pepperell. 
This name was adopted in honor of Sir William Pepperell 
of Piscataqua, who commanded an army of six thousand 
men raised in New England in the year 1745, for the 
express purpose of reducing Louisburg and subjecting the 
isle of Cape Breton to the possession of Great Britain, 
which was successfully effected. The Rev. Mr. Emerson, 
who was ordained the minister of Groton west parish 
about two years after this event, was a chaplain in that 
expedition, and probably suggested the name in remem- 
brance of his commander.^ It is said that Sir William 
gave or intended to give a church bell to the district, that 
he sent to England and had one cast bearing the inscrip- 
tion of his own name and the following couplet : 

" I to the church the living call, 
And to the grave I suuiuion all." 

That the bell was brought to Boston, stored there and 
afterwards sold to pay storage. Another tradition is, that 
it fell into the hands of the British during the war. 

May 29, 1753. At the first meeting after incorpora- 
tion, the district " voted to confirm and establish what 
was voted in Groton west parish." The practical use or 
legal effect of this vote is not perceived. 



* Tradition says, that William Prescott, afterwards Colonel Prescott, an 
inhabitant of the parish, was a lieutenant in that expedition, and conversed 
with the commander-in-chief on the contemplated incorporation of the place 
as a town or district, and proposed the name ; but the Prescott manuscript 
hereinafter noticed, makes no mention of this service, but says he was a 
lieutenant in the forces sent to remove the neutral French in Nova Scotia, 
under Col. Monkton in 1755. Besides, Prescott was but nineteen years of 
age at the time of the former expedition, and that about eight years before 
the incorporation of the district, so that neither his lieutenancy nor the con- 
versation would seem probable. 



SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. 311 

In the year 1767, the district took preparatory steps to 
build a new meeting-house. They voted to raise the 
sum of eighty pounds for the purpose, and tliat the house 
should be sixty feet long, forty feet wide and twenty feet 
high, with porches. In 1768, " voted that the meeting- 
house be built workman-like." Also "chose William 
Prescott a committee to join the committees from the 
several towns in this Province, considering the awful 
frowns of divine Providence upon our land and on this 
Province in a particular manner, whereby our civil privi- 
leges are greatly threatened, and considering we are en- 
gaged in the important affair of building a new house for 
the worship of God, voted to set apart 'i'hursday as a day 
of fasting and prayer, to confess our manifold sins, 
whereby we have provoked our God to frown upon us in 
our public affairs, and earnestly to implore the returns of 
his favor, and particularly to humble ourselves before 
God, for our unprofitableness under the means of grace 
we have enjoyed in the old meeting-house, and to entreat 
his guidance in erecting a new one." 

In 1769, a question arose whether the house should 
have a steeple, which was finally decided in the negative. 
Cornet Gilson was the undertaker to build the new house, 
and as part compensation he had the old one, which he 
removed to his farm and used as a barn. It has since 
been burnt. 

The new house was dedicated March 8, 1770, on which 
occasion Mr. Emerson preached the sermon, before quoted, 
from this text, " Then Samuel took a stone and set it up 
between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it 
Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." In 
this discourse Mr. Emerson enumerates various reasons why 
the people of Pepperell should set up their Ebenezer, 
and gratefully acknowledge that " hitherto the Lord had 
helped them." Such as the preservation of the church, 
when threatened with total destruction ; that God had 



312 PRESENT MEETING-HOC SE. 

had his eye upon New England ever since its settlement ; 
that the number of the inhabitants of Pepperell since his 
settlement had increased from seventy-two, to one hundred 
and fifty-two families, and that their interest and wealth 
had increased in as great proportion ; that they had been 
able to pay the charges of becoming a parish, a district, 
building a house for worship, and that peace, love and 
harmony had prevailed in settling the gospel among 
them ; that they had been preserved from savage enemies 
while it was a frontier place, and they were under the 
necessity of carrying their weapons of war with them to 
the house of worship, as they had done since his settle- 
ment ; that the great sickness, which had prevailed among 
them several years, had been stayed ; and that they had 
been preserved while erecting and finishing the second- 
meeting-house, not a life having been lost or a bone 
broken while providing the timber, raising the frame and 
finishing the house ; and finally, that he himself would on 
this occasion set up his Ebenezer, it being the twenty- 
third anniversary of his ordination, and acknowledge that 
" hitherto the Lord had helped him," both in temporal 
and spiritual things. 

This second meeting-house is the same that is now 
owned and occupied by the first parish in Pepperell. In 
the year 1836, it having been in constant use for sixty- 
six years, and being out of repair and not adapted in its 
form to modern taste, the parish undertook to remodel 
and repair it throughout. The following extracts from 
records show the progress of that work. 

" July 31, 1836. On this day we assembled for public 
worship for the last time in the old meeting-house ; we, 
on this day, bade adieu to the old places where generation 
after generation had kept holy time." " The parish, with 
a decisive energy which did them credit, took the neces- 
sary steps in order to the work being effected. Two ser- 
mons, appropriate to the occasion, were preached on 



EVANGELICAL CONGREGATIONAL SOCIETY, 313 

Sunday, and on Monday the church was stripped of its 
pews and its whole interior. 

" The work advanced more slowly than we had hoped. 
Delays of various kinds interposed. At length, however, 
on the 26th of October, the work was finished, and on 
Thursday, the 27th, the house in its new form was sol- 
emnly dedicated to the service of Almighty God." "It 
was to us a season of heartfelt joy, of gratitude to God 
and of mutual congratulation. The work of our hands 
had been prospered. A new temple had been raised up 
for us, and we, who had held our religious festivals under 
the most uncomfortable and disheartening circumstances, 
were now permitted to worship God amid the beauty of 
the sanctuary." " It is only giving honor to whom honor 
is due to record in this place, that by the generosity of 
the ladies of this parish, the pulpit was trimmed and the 
aisles carpeted throughout." " The Bible in two volumes 
was a generous donation from Mrs. E. Bass of Boston, a 
daughter of the Rev. Mr. Bullard, a former pastor of this 
church. The communion table was a present from Mrs. 
Thomas Bancroft of this town." 

A handsome silver goblet was presented by Madam 
Prescott of Boston, March, 1846. 

In the year 1831, a large number of the inhabitants of 
the town, including a great majority of the members of 
the church, withdrew from public worship in the meet- 
ing-house, and held meetings for a time in a private hall. 
They " signed off," as the phrase is, from the town, or 
first parish, and formed a second parish by the name of 
the " Evangelical Congregational Society." In 1832, 
they built a commodious meeting-house, finished in 
modern style, having a steeple and clock. It was dedica- 
ted October 31, 1832. 
40 



CHAPTER XV, 

Ministers, Churches, &c. — First preaching in Dwelling-Houses — A 
Call to Mr. Vinal — Call to Mr. Emerson — Ordination — Organization 
of the Church — Mr. E.'s Salary — Military trait— Death and Charac- 
ter — Deacons — Mr. Bullard's Call and Ordination — His Ministry — 
Deacons — Death and Character — Choice of Mr. Howe — Exclusive 
System — Cautious Measures — Ordination — Breach of Promise — 
Division of the Town — Mr. Babbidge's Call and Ordination — Dea- 
cons — Centennial Celebration — Mr, Howe recognized as Pastor of 
the Evangelical Congregational Society — Sickness, Death, and 
Character — Mr. Andrew's Ordination — Deacons — Anniversary Fes- 
tival. 

The first provision for having preaching in Groton west 
parish, which appears on record, is under date of February 
16, 1742, when the parish " voted, that Samuel Wright 
be a committee to provide preaching till the last day of 
April next." It appears by the records, that the house of 
Enosh Lawrence, who lived in what is now the east vil- 
lage, and the house of Nehemiah Hobart, who lived where 
David R. Shattuck now lives, were used as places of wor- 
ship before a meeting-house was built. 

March 13, 1744, the parish " voted to keep the last day 
of March instant, a day of fasting and prayer to Almighty 
God for direction in the important affair of settling a min- 
ister " — "chose a committee to take advice of the neigh- 
boring ministers, and to invite them to assist in said fast, 
and to make provision for them." 

Soon after, " voted to give the Rev. Mr. Vinal a call to 
settle in the work of the ministry." Why he did not 
accept the call, does not appear. 



MR. Emerson's call and ordination. 315 

" September 25, 1746, voted to give the Rev. Mr. 
Joseph Emerson, of Maiden, a call to settle in the gospel 
ministry in said parish, and to give him one hundred and 
twenty pounds settlement, and sixty-two pounds ten shil- 
lings salary yearly, and thirty cords of fire-wood, cut and 
delivered at his door." In January following, the parish 
voted to give Mr. Emerson forty acres of land within a 
mile of the meeting-house, and to increase his salary 
twelve pounds ten shillings when the parish should con- 
tain one hundred ratable families. At that time it con- 
tained seventy-two families. Mr. Emerson's answer to 
the call was in the affirmative, and he was ordained Feb- 
ruary 25, 1746-7. The sermon on the occasion was 
preached by his father, the minister of Maiden, from this 
text : " Thou, therefore, my son, be strong in the grace 
that is in Christ Jesus." A church had been organized 
(or gathered^ according to the technical phrase of the 
times) on the 29th of January next preceding the ordina- 
tion, and Mr. Emerson was formally admitted a member 
of it on the morning of his ordination. The church at 
this time consisted of fifteen male members, eleven of 
whom had been dismissed from the church in Groton for 
the purpose of forming this. The number of females is 
not exactly known, but it is supposed there were nearly 
as many as males. ^ 

Mr. Emerson's salary was regulated something in the 
manner of Dr. Chaplin's of Groton ; according to the price 
of produce, provisions, and other necessaries of life ; but 
with a little more propriety and justice in the quantities 
of articles stated, upon which to make the calculation. 



^ By a paragraph in a discourse delivered by the Rev. Mr. Andrews, at 
Pepperell, January 29, 1847, it would seem there were no females, vid. p. 23. 
But the names of the wives of at least ten of the males are named in the 
records as original members, and not under the head of admissions. This 
seems to be proof positive, that there were female members at the time of 
organization. 



316 PEPPERELL. 

The following lists were made out by a committee for 
that purpose, which were accepted by the parish and by 
Mr. Emerson. 



" Ninety jicuvds en W I Goods. 

" W. I. rum at 21s. per gall. 
Molasses, 1.5s. do. 
Loaf sugar, 7s. per lb. 
Cotton wool, 13s. do. 
Salt, 32s. per bush. 



" t'orly jioudJs upon Meal. 

" Beef at 9d. per lb. 
Pork, 15d. 



" Sixty pounds upon Grain. 

" Corn at 12s. per bush. 
Rye, 16s. " 
Barley, 14s. " 
Oats, 7s. " 
Wheat, 22s. " 

'■' Sixty pounds upon Sundries. 

" Sheep's wool at 10s. per lb. 
Flax, 3s. Gd. 

Shoes, 30s. per pr. 

Labor at £60 per year. 
Butter, 2s. 6d. per lb." 



It was doubtless a troublesome business to estimate the 
salary annually upon such a basis, and the district wisely 
voted in the year 1767 to abandon the plan, and give Mr. 
Emerson £73 6s. Sd. annually, computing silver at 6s. 
per dollar, and 6s. 8d. per ounce. Upon this change in 
his compensation Mr. Emerson remarks : " I heartily re- 
joice that you have seen fit to set aside the old contract, 
which hath been the occasion of so much trouble. As to 
the sum you offer me instead of it, I thankfully accept of 
it. All things considered, it is honorable and kind, and 
is a token, that after so many years, my labors are yet 
acceptable among you. I hope, through divine grace, to 
go on with more cheerfulness in the work of the ministry, 
and while I am partaking of your carnal things, that the 
Lord may abundantly shower down spiritual blessings, is 
the sincere prayer of your atfectionate pastor. I desire 
this may be recorded in the parish book." 

The service of Mr. Emerson in the expedition to Cape 
Breton as chaplain, in 1745, undoubtedly had an influence 
on his whole life and character afterwards ; and that in- 
fluence was imparted, in an eminent degree, to the people 
of his charge. Hence the great number of brave officers 
and courageous soldiers in Pepperell in the French and 



MR. Emerson's character. 317 

Revolutionary wars, and down to the present time. Im- 
mediately upon the assembling of the army at Cambridge, 
he repaired thither to visit his numerous parishioners 
there in arms, and is said to have offered the first prayer 
ever made in the American camp. While there, he took 
a cold, which induced the disease of which he died, Octo- 
ber 29, 1775, aet. 51. He left a widow and five children, 
four sons and a daughter. He appears to have been a 
very useful, faithful, and successful minister ; beloved, 
esteemed, reverenced by the church and people of his 
charge. His religious views and principles undoubtedly 
harmonized with those of most of the clergy of his time 
in New England ; though if we may judge from his 
writings, and the plain, simple, practical covenant of his 
church, we must suppose that he had more liberality and 
Christian charity, and less dogmatism and bigotry, than 
many of them. Ultra Calvinism had not, however, at 
that time been portrayed in the unscriptural and meta- 
physical language of Edwards, Hopkins, and Emmons ; 
nor had the absurd and contradictory dogmas of these 
found their way into the creeds and covenants of so many 
churches, as they afterwards did. 

During the twenty-nine years of his ministry he bap- 
tized eight hundred and seven persons, admitted one 
hundred and ninety-six to the church, and solemnized one 
hundred and seventy-three marriages. Eight deacons 
were elected by the church, and by him inducted into 
office, viz.: Jeremiah Lawrence, John Spafford, January 
11, 1747-8; Josiah Fiske, January 18, 1754; Peleg 
Lawrence, August 21, 1754 ; Thomas Laughton, August 
3, 1759; David Blood, April 9, 1762; Daniel Fiske, 
April 23, 1773 ; Edmund Parker, October 8, 1773. 

It was customary for one chosen deacon to give his 
acceptance in writing, drawn out into quite an epistle, 
which was read to the congregation, and then the candi- 



318 ' PEPPERELL. 

date was formally inducted into office by a charge from 
the minister, and took his appropriate seat.^ 

A term of nearly four years after the death of Mr. 
Emerson passed, before the settlement of another minis- 
ter. The congregation was not, howeveT, destitute of 
preaching for the whole of that time. Mr. Joseph 
Emerson, a son of the deceased pastor, and Mr. Jonathan 
Allen, each preached in the place for some time, and the 



' The form used by Mr. Emerson on these occasions was as follows : — 
" Dear Brother: — We congratulate you upon the honor, which the Lord 
Jesus Christ, the Head of the church, hath been pleased to confer upon 
you ; for we doubt not but you had a call to this office, which under the 
influence of his Spirit, as we trust, you have accepted; that Spirit, which 
Christ hath purchased and promised to send down, not only to convince and 
convert the sinner, but also as a guide and teacher to his people, and hath 
assured us, that he should lead us into all truth. You are sensible there is 
a work as well as an honor, attending the office, which you must see to it 
that you fulfil. I would therefore charge you in the name of the Lord 
Jesus Christ, who shall judge both the quick and the dead, another day, 
before the elect angels and this assembly, that you faithfully discharge the 
duties of your station, that you fulfil the ministry you have received. See 
to it, that you be honest and just with respect to the treasure, which may be 
committed to you ; see to it, that you answer the character of the deacons in 
the word of God, ' Be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, 
not greedy of filthy lucre, hold the mystery of the faith in a pure con- 
science.' See to it, that you govern your children and household well, ' be 
blameless, be an example to believers themselves,' let your conversation be 
as beconieth godliness, watch and pray continually, that those who seek 
occasion to speak evil of you, may find none ; live always as under the eye 
of the Loid Jesus Christ, who will shortly call you to give an account of 
your stewardship. If you thus behave and do, ' you will purchase to your- 
self a good degree ' of favor with God and good men, and ' great boldness in 
the faith which is in Christ Jesus.' And let me put you in mind, that as 
the Lord Jesus and this his people, expect more from you in this relation 
than ever, so there is strength enough in Christ for you, and he will not 
leave you, if you do not first forsake him. O, then, repair to him by a lively 
faith. Go out of yourself, trust wholly in him, so when you are weak in 
yourself, you will be strong in him ; so shall you fulfil your course at length 
with joy, and your Lord will say to you, ' Well done, good and faithful ser- 
vant ; as you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler 
over many things, enter into the joy of your Lord.' May this at last be 
your and our portion, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory in the church, 
world without end. Amen." 



MR. BULLARd's call AND ORDINATION. 319 

latter received an invitation to settle, which was declined. 
At length Mr. John Bullard, of Medway, a graduate of 
Harvard college in 1776, was invited by the church and 
town to become their pastor and religious teacher, and he 
accepted their invitation. His ordination took place 
October 18, 1779. His ministry was long, prosperous 
and happy. If there were not so many who made pub- 
lic profession of religion under his ministry in proportion 
to the length of time and number of parishioners, as 
under that of his predecessor, the deficiency must be 
attributed to the spirit of the times, and the various 
important matters which agitated the public mind, and 
absorbed the attention of all, and prevented many from 
devoting their time and talents to the promotion of 
morality and religion. The war of the revolution, the 
formation and adoption of systems of general and state 
governments, devising the methods of administering those 
governments after adoption, and measures to be pursued 
under them during the long protracted and eventful wars 
in Europe, a second unnecessary and impolitic war with 
England, were matters unpropitious to the culture and 
growth of Christian principles and practices. These all 
happened during Mr. Bullard's ministry, and in some of 
them his parishioners took a deep interest. Notwith- 
standing these discouragements and hinderances, one 
hundred and fifty-six members were added to his church ; 
he baptized five hundred and fifty-six individuals, and 
solemnized four hundred and twenty-nine marriages. 
Four deacons were elected, viz. Nathaniel Hutchinson, 
Nathaniel Lakin, April 23, 1789 ; Jonas Parker, Edmund 
Jewett, August 15, 1805. 

Clergymen, who were his associates and have survived 
him, give testimony of his urbanity, affability, love of 
science, respectability of talents, and manner of dis- 
charging his parochial duties. In his theological opinions 
he probably differed but little from his predecessor ; a 



320 PEPPERELL. 

trinitarian, but on other points an Arminian rather than 
a Calvinist. 

He was much engaged in the cause of learning and 
instruction of youth ; was one of the first projectors and 
contributors to the estabUshinent of the academy at 
Groton, and a trustee thereof from its incorporation till 
his death. Three of his sons finished their studies, pre- 
paratory to entering college, in that institution. 

" Having nearly completed the forty-second year of 
his ministry, he died September 18, 1821, honored and 
esteemed by his friends and the people of his charge in 
life, and truly lamented in death. — He left a widow and 
eight children, four sons and four daughters, to mourn 
the loss of an affectionate and devoted husband and 
father." 

In about a year after the death of Mr. Bullard, Mr. 
James Howe, of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, who had been 
graduated at Dartmouth college in 1817, and had studied 
theology at the institution in Andover, was chosen by 
the town and church their teacher and pastor. 

At this period a large portion of the clergy of New 
Engla id, assuming to themselves exclusively the title of 
orthodox, had begun in effect to say to their brethren of 
the other portion, (whether as learned, pious, humble and 
orthodox Christians as themselves or not, God knoweth,) 
" Stand by thyself, come not near me ; for I am holier 
than thou." They had assumed the position, that those 
only, who believed and embraced certain polemic doc- 
trines and articles of faith, constituted the true and only 
proper church, and that to hold fellowship, and exchange 
ministerial services with any, who did not assent to all 
these essentials, as they termed them, would be no better 
than tolerating heresy, and holding communion with 
heretics. They had therefore come to the determination 
not to exchange pulpit services with Arminians, Unita- 
rians, and other liberal denominations of Christians, 



EXCLUSIVE SYSTEM, 321 

denying them even the name of Christians. To this 
"exclusive system," as it has been called, which, with 
the relaxation from all legal obligation to support any 
religious instruction or public worship, about that time 
and since, has rent most of the towns and territorial par- 
ishes asunder, and set at variance. Christian friends and 
neighbors, the Rev. Mr. Bullard while livhig, and the 
good people of Pepperell generallj'', were strongly 
opposed. On the occasion therefore of settling a min- 
ister, caution was taken to pursue such measures, as 
should prevent the town and church, hitherto remarkable 
for their unamimity, from division. In selecting a coun- 
cil to assist in the ordination of their pastor elect, they 
took pastors and delegates from eleven congregations, 
who were in favor of the exclusive system, and from 
nine, who were more liberally inclined, intending, if 
possible to be on terms of communion and fellowship 
with all regular Congregational churches and societies. 
As Mr. Howe's education and associations had been with 
the party favoring exclusiveness, some fears were enter- 
tained that he might be inclined to join with them in 
their measures. In order therefore to prevent all misun- 
derstanding on that point, some of the legal voters, to the 
number of seventy-nine, signed a remonstrance against 
the ordination of Mr. Howe, solely from apprehensions 
respecting exchanges, and laid it before the council on 
the day appointed for the ordination. Whereupon the 
pastor elect was freely and fully interrogated on that point 
by the council, and he gave such assurances of his 
willingness to exchange pulpits with each member of the 
council, and all neighboring ministers of regular standing 
of the Congregational order, that the remonstrants were 
satisfied, and withdrew all objections. Mr. Howe was 
accordingly ordained, October 16, 1822. 

For several of the first years of his ministry, there was 
general harmony between pastor and flock, the fulfilment 
41 



322 PEPPERELL. 

of the promise being satisfactorily observed. But as 
exclusiveness became more strictly enforced by its 
authors and abettors, Mr. Howe was compelled either to 
violate his promise, or lose fellowship with the friends of 
that system. He chose the former alternative.^ Upon 
this, his parishioners became dissatisfied, and communed 
with him in a friendly manner, on his neglecting to 
exchange services with some of their favorite neighboring 
ministers. But he could not be prevailed with to return 
to his promised course in this matter. Whereupon a town 
meeting was held, May, 11, 1831, at which the following 
vote passed : " Voted, To excuse the Rev. James Howe 
from, preaching six Sabbaths in the course of the ensuing 
year, and permit the pulpit to be supplied on those Sab- 
baths b7j ministers of other denominations.^^ This move- 
ment Mr. Howe and a minority of the town, including a 
large majority of the members of the church, chose to 
consider an expulsion from the pulpit. They therefore 
withdrew, and formed a separate religious society. The 
town became thus divided into two parishes, with less 
trouble and contention than has happened in many other 
towns in the country. 

The town or first parish and church proper, thus 
becoming destitute of a minister and pastor, on the 19th 
day of January, 1833, invited Mr. Charles Babbidge to 

^ VVhetheror not Mr. Howe adopted the least objectionable course, in the 
?' strait betwixt two," into which he was driven, will, in men's judgment, 
probably be decided differently ; by some in the affirmative, by others in the 
negative, according to their different estimation of justice and expediency. 
But either course would, in the minds of all honest, honorable, upright men 
and Christians, have been preferable to the mean and contemptible position, 
in which his friends, (if friends they can be called,) have since his death 
endeavored to place him. In order to evade the reproach of being a 
promise-breaker, they have represented him as making a promise, which he 
knew would be understood according to its express terms, in one manner, 
and by a secret, non-committal, mental evasion, reserving to himself the 
right to interpret it in another manner. See Rev. D. Andrews's Centennial 
Discourse, note H ; and Rev. C. Babbidge's Centennial Address, note C. 



MR. BABBIDGe's call AND ORDINATION. 323 

accept of that office. He gave an affirmative answer to 
their call, and on the 13th of February, 1833, a regular 
ecclesiastical council having assembled for the purpose, 
ordained him over the first parish in Pepperell aud the 
church thereof. 

The Rev. Charles Babbidge was born at Salem, Octo- 
ber 27, 1806; was graduated at Harvard University, 
1828 ; and studied theology at the institution in Cam- 
bridge. He was married to Eliza Ann Bancroft, daughter 
of Mr. Luther Bancroft, July 1, 1839. He continues in 
the ministry at Pepperell, in much peace and harmony, to 
the highest satisfaction of the people of his charge, and to 
their eminent opportunity for instruction and advance- 
ment in Christian virtues. 

Dr. John Walton and Mr. Benjamin Hall, were chosen 
deacons of the church, September 4, 1832; and Mr. 
Nathaniel Sartell, Jr., March 22, 1837, was chosen to the 
same office, to supply the place of Dea. Hall, deceased. 

February 9, 1847, being the completion of just one 
hundred years since the organization of this church, was 
celebrated by its members and the congregation, as its 
first centennial anniversary. The church in Groton, from 
which most of the original members of this church were 
dismissed, in order to found this, were invited to join in 
the festival. The Rev. pastor made an ingenious and per- 
tinent address on the occasion, and a sumptuous collation 
closed the ceremonies.'* 

* While partaking of the collation, the following "letter missive" was 
read : 

" Address to the first church in Pepperell, in 1947, prepared by Mr. John 
Bullard, son of Rev. John Bullard. 

" February 9, 1847. 

" The church of the first parish in Pepperell, to the brothers and sisters 
who shall fill their places and inherit their responsibility, on the 9th day of 
February, in the year of our Lord 1947, send greeting : — 

" Dearly beloved and cared for, we charge and exhort you, by the 
mercies of God, the love of our common Saviour, and the hopes and consola- 



324 PEPPERELL. 

On the first day of February, 1831, at the call of the 
Rev. Mr. Howe and those who with him separated them- 
selves from the town or first parish, an ecclesiastical 
council assembled, approved the proceedings of the 
seceders, and recognized Mr, Howe as their minister. 

About three years before his death, Mr. Howe's health 
began to decline, so that he could but partially perform 
the duties of his office. He continued, however, to 
preach occasionally, as health permitted, till within a little 
more than a year of his death, which event happened, 
July 19, 1840, in the 44th year of his age. 

Mr. Howe married Harriet Nason, of Harvard, October 
13, 1823, by whom he had six children, four of whom 
still survive. His character, as portrayed in a discourse 
delivered at his funeral, represents him as "courteous, 
kind, and gentlemanly in his conversation and deport- 
ment," sound in understanding, conservative in principle, 
sagacious in judgment, traits that well become a minister 
of the religion he professed. 

During Mr. Howe's long and lingering sickness, he was 
assisted by two or three candidates for the ministry ; and 
on the 29th of January, 1840, the Rev. David Andrews 
was, by invitation of the church and society, ordained 
his colleague pastor. Upon Mr. Howe's decease, Mr, 
Andrews became principal and sole pastor of the Evan- 
gelical Congregational Society, which office he still 
retains. He was born at Dedham, September 15, 1808 ; 
graduated at Amherst college in 1836 ; studied theology 

tions of his gospel, that you hold fast the liberty of private judgment, which 
has descended to us from venerated sires, (and, we trust, to you also;) that 
you exhibit in your lives and conversation the spirit and graces of the 
Christian character, love to one another, and to all who profess faith in 
Christ as the Saviour of the world. And we hope and trust, that when He, 
who is our exemplar, shall make up his jewels, we all may be among his 
chosen ones, and join in the song of praise to his God and our God, to his 
Father and our Father." 



MR. ANDREWS. 325 

at Andover ; and married Miss T. Murdock, of West 
Boylston, Sept. 15, 1840. 

Mr. David Blood and Dr. Nehemiah Cutter were elected 
deacons of this church, October 29, 1832 ; and Mr. Henry 
Jewett, January 4, 1844. 

The 29th day of January, 1847, being the seventh anni- 
versary of the ordination of the Rev.Mr. Andrews, and with- 
out making the necessary correction for change of style, 
the one hundredth of the organization of the first church 
in Pepperell, was noticed by the Evangelical Congrega- 
tional society as a festival. The pastor pronounced a dis- 
course on the occasion, containing an interesting account 
of the first settlement of the place, the organization and 
progress of the church, the building of the meeting- 
houses, the ordination of ministers, and their character 
and success in discharging their duties, down to the 
present time. 



CHAPTER XVI. 

Wars and Warriors — Mr. Emerson's Address to Capt Lavprence's 
soldiers — Capt. Lawrence's death — Instruction to Representative 
— Letter to Committee of Correspondence at Boston — Further 
Instructions and Resolutions — Alarm of April 19, 1775 — Battle of 
Bunker Hill — Col. William Prescott — Hon. William Prescott. 

The ravages of the Indians had nearly ceased in this 
vicinity before the settlement of Pepperell. Fears and 
alarms, however, had not entirely subsided ; so that Mr. 
Emerson says, after his settlement in the ministry, his 
parishioners carried their weapons to the house of 
worship. 

Pepperell justly claims to have produced many brave 
officers and soldiers. A military spirit was imbibed and 
cherished by the encouragements and exhortations of 
their minister, Mr. Emerson, who having served as chap- 
lain at Cape Breton, took a lively interest ever after in 
military affairs, especially at the commencement of the 
revolutionary war. 

In the spring of 1758, a company was enlisted for the 
French war, from Pepperell and its vicinity, of which 
Thomas Lawrence was captain. As the company were 
about to take up their march to join the army, Mr. Emer- 
son preached a sermon on the occasion, in which he thus 
addressed the soldiers : 

«< My Friends and Brethren, — 'Tis matter of rejoicing 
to me, that so many of you have engaged in this affair 



MR. Emerson's address to soldiers. 327 

with so much cheerfulness, and proffered your services 
for your country ; and some of you, I hope, have entered 
upon it with becoming seriousness. If the present expe- 
dition should go forward, according to our present expect- 
ation, (which God grant it may !) and not be stigmatized, 
as some former ones have been, by the name of a mock 
expedition^ whereby we are become the shame of our 
friends and contempt of our enemies ; I say, if the army 
should proceed, you will doubtless be called into action, 
and must expect to jeopardize your lives in the high 
places of the field. Fix this, then, in your minds, that 
danger you must encounter ; imagine not that you are 
going out against a weak and effeminate enemy, who will 
be affrighted as soon as they hear of your approach, or be 
intimidated by the very sound of your drums, and run 
away as soon as you charge them, and you have nothing 
to do, but fall upon the prey, and load yourselves with 
the spoils. Far from this. You are going against an 
enemy who are far from being dastardly ; an enemy 
flushed with various and repeated successes. And as you 
are designed, by the present concerted scheme of opera- 
tion, to enter the very heart of the enemy's country, you 
may well expect that they will not tamely resign their 
possessions into your hands. I say not these things to 
discourage you, but rather to animate you to set out with 
greater resolution and courage. If you alight upon 
dangers, this will not make them heavier when they 
come, and it may serve something to lessen them. 
You are to fight ; you are enlisted for this end ; you 
are paid for this purpose. Boldly, then, advance into 
the very heart of your enemy's country. Fear them 
not ; let it never be said of a New England soldier, — 
let it never be said of a Pepperell soldier, that he was 
afraid to face his enemies, or that ever he turned his 
back on them, and cowardly deserted the cause of his 
country." 



PEPPERELL. 

Capt. Lawrence, the commander of this company, is 
represented as a man of gigantic stature, Herculean 
strength, bold and courageous, experienced in Indian 
warfare, and holding in thorough contempt the valor of 
the savages. He often said, he would never run for an 
Indian or Indians, and that he would never be taken alive 
by them. This assertion was verified in the manner of 
his death. Having the command of a ranging party of 
about twenty men, in 1758, at a place called "Half-way 
brook," they were suddenly surrounded by Indians. 
Many of the party fell by the first fire ; a few ran and 
escaped. Capt. Lawrence sprang to a tree, and shouted, 
"To cover, to cover, boys !" Being closely pressed on 
all sides, those who remained were soon all slain, except 
the gallant captain, and he was mortally wounded. He 
finally fell by the strokes of a number of the enemy. 
His body, when found, was in a horribly mangled state. 

Sympathizing with their minister in the ardor and zeal 
he felt in the contention between the colonies and the 
British ministry, previous to the commencement of hos- 
tilities, the inhabitants of Pepperell were among the first 
to notice the unconstitutional and arbitrary acts of Parlia- 
ment, which led to the separation of the colonies from 
the mother country ; among the first to express emphati- 
cally their opinion in relation to those acts ; and among 
the first forcibly to defend what they deemed their rights 
and privileges. Perhaps some of the following extracts 
from the district and town records were penned by 
Mr. Emerson. 

On the 25th of October, 1765, the district voted to give 
the following instructions to their representative in the 
General Court, for his conduct in this important crisis. 



" To Abel Lawrence, Esq 
" Taking into considej 
been adopted by the British ministry, and acts of Parlia 



" Taking into consideration the measures that have 



STAMP ACT. 329 

ment made, which press hard upon our invaluable rights 
and privileges, by the royal charter granted to the first 
settlers of this province, the power of making laws and 
levying taxes invested in the General Assembly. It is 
certain we were not represented in Parliament, neither 
were the remonstrances sent by this province admitted 
there, when the late act, called the stamp act, by which 
an insupportable and unconstitutional tax is laid on the 
colonies, was made. We, therefore, think it our indispen- 
sable duty to desire you by no means to join in any 
measures for countenancing or assisting in the execution 
of the said stamp act. Furthermore, as the trade of this 
province is greatly obstructed, and the people labor under 
an almost insupportable debt, we expect you will use your 
utmost endeavors, in the General Assembly, that the 
monies of the province drawn from the individuals, may 
not be applied to any other uses, under any pretence what- 
ever, than what is evidently intended in the act for sup- 
plying the province treasury." 

January 24, 1766, Mr. Emerson preached a thanksgiv- 
ing sermon on the repeal of the stamp act. 

In 1768, the district chose William Prescott a commit- 
tee to join the committees from the several towns in this 
province. 

In 1772, the following article was inserted in a warrant 
for a district meeting. 

" To see if the district are so generally inspired with 
true patriotic spirit, as to propose any method in order to 
retrieve and recover the constitutional liberties that have 
been extorted from us, contrary to the royal charter, and 
in order to prevent any further unjust taxes, tonnage, 
poundage and the like, and act thereupon as shall be 
thought proper, and most conducive to the happiness of 
all the true sons of liberty, and to American subjects in 
general." 

At a district meeting held January 15, 1773, " chose a 
42 



330 



PEPPERELL. 



committee of nine men to consider what is proper for this 
district to do, at this alarming time, respecting the en- 
croachments that have been made upon our civil privi- 
leges ; " which committee reported the following commu- 
nication to the committee of correspondence, and also a 
letter of instructions to their representative, both of which 
follow. 

" To the Committee of Correspondence, Boston. 

" Gentlemen, — You will be so good as to inform the 
town of Boston, that we have received their kind letter, 
together with the pamphlet setting forth our liberties as 
men, as Christians, as subjects, with the infringements 
which have been made upon them. Desire them to ac- 
cept our hearty acknowledgements for their vigilance over 
our common interests, and remitting to us so particular 
accounts of the innovations made upon our charter privi- 
leges. Assure them we are greatly alarmed at the large 
strides, which have been made by the enemies of our ex- 
cellent constitution, towards enslaving a people. We of 
this place are unanimous; no less than one hundred have 
signed a request to the selectmen to call a meeting, 
though we count but about one hundred and sixty fami- 
lies ; and when met, the fullest meeting that was ever 
known on any occasion, and not a dissenting vote or voice. 
We feel for ourselves, we feel for our posterity, we feel for 
our brethren through the continent. We tremble at the 
thought of slavery, either civil or ecclesiastical, and are 
fully sensible of the near connection there is between 
civil and religious liberty ; if we lose the former, the latter 
will not remain; our resentment, (not to say our indigna- 
tion,) rises against them, let them be in what relation 
soever, who would dare invade our natural or constitu- 
tional rights. Tell our brethren at Boston, that we entirely 
agree with them in their sentiments transmitted to us, 
both with respect to what are our rights, and those 



INSTRUCTIONS TO REPRESENTATIVES. 331 

infringements which have been made upon them ; and 
stand ready to co-operate with them in all measures war- 
ranted by the constitution, and the law of nature, for the 
recovery of those privileges which have been unreason- 
ably and unconstitutionally wrested from us, and for the 
establishment and security of those we do enjoy. Offer- 
ing up our unfeigned desires to the all-wise God, that he 
would, in this day of darkness, be a lamp to our feet, a 
light to our path, and graciously direct to those measures 
which may be effectual for this purpose." 

" To James Prescott, representative of the town of 
Groton, and the districts of Pepperell and Shirley. 

" Sir, — We, his majesty's most loyal and dutiful sub- 
jects, the freeholders and other inhabitants of the district 
of Pepperell, legally assembled, July 18, 1773, being ever 
ready to give due assistance and encouragement to gov- 
ernment, in a constitutional way, at the same time greatly 
concerned that the rights and privileges of British sub- 
jects, (our birth-right and the richest inheritance left us 
by our fathers,) may be securely enjoyed by us and trans- 
mitted entire to our posterity, cannot but be greatly 
affected at the frequent innovations which have been 
made upon our happy constitution ; the particulars of the 
encroachments made on our liberties we shall not at this 
time enumerate, but referring you to a pamphlet sent from 
Boston to every town in the province, which we think 
very justly states our rights, and the encroachments made 
upon them ; we, therefore, who are no small part of your 
constituents, do desire and expect, that you exert yourself 
in the Great and General Assembly to the utmost of your 
ability, for the regaining of such privileges as have been 
unjustly wrested from us, and establishing those we do 
enjoy. We trust that you will be ever watchful, that 
you be not induced by any means to consent to any vote 
or votes, in the Great and General Assembly, that may 



332 



PEPPERELL,. 



have a tendency to weaken our constitutional rights and 
privileges, or ever in a like case to be made a precedent 
of, to the disadvantage of us and our posterity. Present- 
ing the above instructions to your wise consideration, we 
wish, that you and all true friends to the English consti- 
tution, may be under the divine direction, that you may 
be led into the paths of truth, and never be driven aside 
from seeking the welfare of your country." 

The district unanimously voted to accept these com- 
munications, and chose a committee to transmit them to 
their respective destinations. 

February, 1773, the district voted to add two casks of 
powder, and lead answerable, to their stock of ammuni- 
tion. 

June 27, 1774, the district passed the following pream- 
ble and resolutions, and voted to send a copy thereof to 
Boston. 

" Under a deep sense of the distressing and very extra- 
ordinary circumstances we of this land are unhappily 
brought into, by (as we think) a bad ministry in our pa- 
rent country, by the innovations already made in our 
civil liberties, and what seems to be further threatened, 
we are with concern of opinion, that it behooves us and 
all this province, and all North America, to set up a gene- 
ral correspondence and to cultivate harmony, that there 
may be a united voice with resolution throughout this 
land, that we may make a proper stand, and lift up our 
united prayers to Almighty God to pity us, and vouchsafe 
to us his gracious protection, and direct us into such 
measures as he will please to prosper and succeed for our 
deliverance from the great difficulties and embarrassments 
we are under, and secure and save us from impending 
ruin, with which we are further threatened by some in 
power, who carry on their wicked designs as if by magic 



PATRIOTIC RESOLUTIONS. 333 

art assisted. We seriously recommend to all amongst us 
and the whole of North America to lay aside all contentions, 
broils, and even small quarrels, and to omit the practice 
of every thing that tends to disunite us as brethren, as 
neighbors, as countrymen, that are interested in one and 
the same cause, and must stand or fall together. There- 
fore, resolved, 

" 1. As the opinion of this district, that we have a just 
and lawful right to meet together, when and so often as we 
shall have occasion, to cultivate harmony and to transact 
our town affairs ; and that we will hold, use and improve 
that privilege, and will never give it up, or quit the usual 
practice of meeting, on any mandate whatever. 

" 2. That neither Lord North, nor any other British 
minister or person whatever, hath any right to trample 
America under his feet, nor to invade its privileges, either 
civil or religious. 

" 3. We are resolved to do all in our power, by absii- 
nence and every other lawful and proper way, to secure 
and preserve our charter rights and privileges, and that 
we will not tamely submit to the yoke of bondage. 

" 4. That we will not have any hand in the con- 
sumption of teas. West India or British goods, wares or 
merchandize, imported after the last day of August next, 
nor deal with any persons that shall import or deal in 
such goods, wares, or merchandize, contrary to the 
general sense and agreement of the inhabitants of this 
much abused province. 

" 5. We return our hearty thanks to our patriotic 
friends at Boston, for their firmness, care and vigilance the 
time past, for the good and safety of this country. And 
we desire you not to give over now, although your cir- 
cumstances are very discouraging. We sympathize with 
you in this day of darkness, and bad situation of 
affairs, and will, when need be, attest our ability, admin- 
ister our substance, and whatever may be beneficial to 



334 PEPPERELL. 

the cause, and are determined to exert ourselves in the 
cause, that so much concerns us. And we hope and pray, 
that the Lord of Hosts will direct us and you and all the 
colonies into a right way, that His blessing may be upon 
our united endeavors, and may success, with peace and 
harmony, crown the whole to the glory of God and the 
tranquillity of the American colonies." 

One more extract from the records of the district 
deserves to be remembered, as it anticipated the great and 
important step taken a year afterwards by the Continental 
Congress. It is a part of the instructions of the inhabi- 
tants to their representative in 1775. 

" We therefore instruct you, sir, that you, in our name 
and behalf, signify to the Great and General Court, of 
which you are a member, that our opinion is, that inde- 
pendence is the only alternative for the safety of this 
oppressed land, and that if the honorable Congress should 
think it best for the safety of the United Colonies to 
declare them independent of Great Britain, we acquiesce 
heart and hand, and are determined at the risk of life and 
treasure to support the measure." 

Soon the time arrives, which puts to the test the valor 
and the courage of Pepperell soldiery. It is soon to be 
known, whether their patriotism consisted of words only, 
and whether or not, when the crisis arrives, their actions 
would correspond with, and make good, their promises 
and resolutions. The sequel shows, that their intrepidity 
in action was in no wise inferior to their skill and per- 
tinency in expressing their opinions. 

William Prescott, a son of the Hon. Benjamin Prescott, 
though born in the centre of Groton, removed to that 
part of it called the " Gore," which formed a part of the 
district of Pepperell, before he arrived at the age of 
twenty-one years. " He was a lieutenant in the provin- 
cial troops, which were sent to remove the neutral French 



MINUTE MEN CALLED OUT. 335 

from Nova Scotia," in 1755, and possibly a soldier in the 
expedition to Louisburg, two years before.^ After his 
return from the first named expedition, he was promoted 
to the office of Captain. " In 1774 he was appointed 
Colonel of a regiment of minute men," enrolled in Pep- 
perell, Groton, Hollis, and other towns in their vicinity. 
On the morning of the memorable 19th of April, 1775, a 
messenger rode from Concord to Pepperell, alarming the 
inhabitants on his way with the intelligence that the 
" regulars " had come out from Boston, had killed eight 
men at Lexington, and were fighting at Concord. He 
arrived at Pepperell about nine or ten o'clock, A. M. 
" Col. Prescott immediately gave order to the company in 
Pepperell, and the company in Hollis, to march to Groton, 
and there join the Groton companies, and proceeded him- 
self to Groton." So expeditiously were the Pepperell 
company armed, equipped, and on their march, that 
although five miles farther from the point whence the 
messenger started, and consequently proportionably later 
in receiving the alarm, than the Groton companies, they 
arrived at Groton parade ground before the companies 
were in readiness to accompany them.^ After a halt for 



' The following anecdote relating to Lieut. Prescott, when on the expedi- 
tion to remove the French, is from good authority, and is unquestionably 
correct. •' He was attacked by a fever. The surgeon of the army was 
very negligent in his attendance on him. One day on entering his chamber 
he found him so ill, that he brutally exclaimed, ' It's no use of my staying 
here, I can donothing;' and turning his back on the patient walked out of 
the room. Lieut. Prescott was perfectly aware of what was said, and was 
filled with such rage by this unfeeling conduct, that he seized his sword, 
which hung near him, and springing out of bed, made after the doctor, who, 
as it may be believed, completed his exit with greater precipitation than 
he commenced it. This sally of passion had a most favorable effect, 
as it appeared, on the fever, which was then at its crisis, and the patient 
mended rapidly from that day." 

^ It is said that Dr. Oliver Prescott, a brother of the Colonel, and chairman 
of the selectmen of Groton, who were then together delivering out arms and 
ammunition to the soldiers, on hearing the martial music and seeing the 



336 PEPPERELL. 

a few minutes they again marched on in advance of the 
Groton companies.^ Col. Prescott hastened on, with as 
many of his regiment as he could collect, " to Concord, 
and thence to Cambridge, but did not overtake the British 
detachment on their retreat. He and most of his officers 
and men enlisted for eight months, the period of the first 
enlistment, and which it was then hoped, would be as 
long as troops would be wanted." 
/ The patriotism of the women in those times, " which 
tried men's souls," must not be passed over in silence. 
After the departure of Col. Prescott's regiment of " min- 
ute men," Mrs. David Wright of Pepperell, Mrs. Job 
Shattuck of Groton, and the neighboring women, col- 
lected at what is now Jewett's bridge, over the Nashua, 
between Pepperell and Groton, clothed in their absent 
husbands' apparel, and armed with muskets, pitchforks, 
and such other weapons as they could find, and having 
elected Mrs. Wright their commander, resolutely deter- 
mined, that no foe to freedom, foreign or domestic, should 
pass that bridge. For rumors were rife, that the regulars 
were approaching, and frightful stories of slaughter flew 
rapidly from place to place and from house to house. 
Soon there appeared one '* on horseback, supposed to be 

Pepperell company marching to the common in full ranks, exclaimed to his 
hrethren, " Tfiis is a disgrace to us," alluding to the greater promptitude of 
the Pepperell soldiers than of their own. 

' One of the Pepperell company, (Abel Parker, since Judge of Probate 
in the county of Cheshire, N. H.) ploughing in a distant field, did not re- 
ceive the alarm in season to start with the rest; but on hearing it, left his 
oxen in the field unyoked, ran home, seized his gun in one hand, his Sunday 
coat in the other, sat out upon a run, and slacked not till having passed the 
Groton companies, he overtook his fellows at Groton ridges. 

'' Capt. Leonard Whiting, of HoUis, N. H., a noted tory. He was in 

reality the bearer of despatches from Canada to the British in Boston. An 

article was some time after inserted in a warrant for town meeting, " To 

see what the town will vote or order to be paid to Mr. Solomon Rogers, for 

^ entertaining Leonard Whiting and his guard." Not acted upon. 



COL. WILLIAM PRESCOTT. 337 

treasonably engaged in conveying intelligence to the 
enemy. By the implicit command of Sergeant Wright, 
he is immediately arrested, unhorsed, searched, and the 
treasonable correspondence found concealed in his boots. 
He was detained prisoner and sent to Oliver Prescott, Esq., 
of Groton,and his despatches were sent to the Committee 
of Safety. 

/ As Pepperell has the honor of being the residence of 
Col. William Prescott, and he being chief in command on 
the American side in the first battle of any considerable 
consequence, that was fought in the revolutionary war, a 
history of that town would be unpardonably incomplete, 

'without some account of that engagement and of that 
valiant officer. For the following narration, as well as 
for many other matters relating to Pepperell and to the 
Prescott family, the author is indebted to the courtesy of 
a distinguished descendant of the commander on Bunker 
Hill, for the use of a manuscript, penned at sundry times, 
and kept by sundry persons of that family, of the truth 
and correctness of which no doubt can exist. 

" On the 16th of June, 1775, Gen. Ward, the com- 
mander-in-chief, issued an order for placing three Massa- 
chusetts regiments, (Col. Prescott's, Col. Frye's, and Col. 
Bridge's,) and a detachment of one hundred and twenty 
men from a Connecticut regiment, (under the command 
of Capt. Knowlton, a brave officer,) about one thousand 
in all, under the command of Col. Prescott, directing him 
to proceed to Bunker Hill, and there erect a fortification ; 
stating that the party should be relieved the next morning. 
They therefore took only a small supply of provisions with 
them. Col. Gridley, an experienced engineer, was ap- 
pointed to lay out the works. The detachment was 
drawn up on the common in Cambridge on the evening 
of that day, attended prayers by the Rev. Dr. Langdon, 
then President of Harvard college, and when daylight 
43 



338 PEPPERELL. 

was gone, Col. Prescott led them silently down Charles- 
town road over the neck, and then halted, called around 
him the field officers, with Col. Gridley, and then first 
communicated to them his orders, and conferred with 
them respecting the place intended for the lortification. 

"The whole height at that time was popularly called 
' Bunker Hill,' although the southern part was known as 
' Breed's Hill ' by the neighbors. After some discussion, 
the southern part, now better known as Breed's Hill, was 
determined on. Tiiis caused some delay. The detach- 
ment proceeded to Breed's Hill, and Col. Gridley laid out 
the works, a redoubt and entrenchment, which the troops 
immediately conniienced building. This was about eleven 
o'clock. Col. Prescott was anxious lest they should be 
discovered and attacked in the night, or too early in the 
morning ; and, to satisfy himself, went in person, accom- 
panied by an officer, twice to the margin of the river, and 
much to his satisfaction found that they were not discov- 
ered. The sentinels on board the ships were drowsily 
calling out, ^ All 's well.^ Daylight made the discovery. 
A heavy cannonade from the ships and Copp's Hill then 
commenced, which annoyed them, but did not materially 
retard their work.^ About nine o'clock it became appar- 
ent that the British were preparing to cross the river and 
attack them. The officers then urged Col. Prescott to 
send a messenger to head quarters, and request the com- 
mander to relieve them according to his engagement, as 
they had brought on no provisions for a longer time, and 
had worked all night. This he refused, saying, the works 
should be defended by those who built them ; their honor 

s " One man was killed outside of the redoubt. Seeing the soldiers gath- 
ering; around the body, Col. Prescott ordered them to cover it with earth 
immediately. They inquired if they might not have prayers over it. He 
told them, that might be done after the battle, but it must be covered with 
earth immediately. Finding the men still continued round the body, regard- 
less of the danger, he ordered the body to be thrown into the trench, and 
earth thrown over it." 



BATTLE OF BUNKER HILL. 339 

required it, and they could do it successfully; but he 
would send for reinforcements and refreshments. He 
accordingly despatched two messengers in the course of 
the morning ; the last, Major, afterwards Governor Brooks. 
This last message produced an order to Col. Stark and 
Col. Reed, of the New Hampshire troops, to march their 
regiments to his assistance. They arrived just at the 
comiriencement of the action, and posted their regiments 
at the rail fence,'' where they fought with great bravery. 
The Connecticut company, under Capt. Knowlton, were 
posted at the eud of the rail fence nearest the breastwork, 
and the three Massachusetts '' regiments defended the 
redoubt. The action began between two and three 
o'clock. The redoubt was the great object of attack, and 
the principal force was directed against it, while three 
regiments advanced towards the rail fence, with intent to 
come on the rear of the redoubt and cut off the retreat of 
the Americans. The British were twice repulsed with 
great loss from the redoubt and from the fence. 

" The British officers were obliged to make great exer- 
tions to bring up their men a third time. They however 
succeeded, and made a third attack, with great spirit, on 
the redoubt and at the fence. The redoubt was entered 
on the southern or southeastern side, and at the same time 
the enemy advanced between the breast-work and the rail 
fence, to the rear of the redoubt. A (qvt men were shot 
down as they mounted the breast-work ; among others, 



fi One rail fence was pulled up and placed parallel (o another left stand- 
ing, and the intermediate space filled with grass, mown on the spot the day 
previous. 

"^ " Gen. Warren came up to the works a short time before the action was 
commenced, with a musket in his hand. Col. Prescott proposed to him that 
he should take the command, as he understood he had been appointed a 
major-general the day before. Gen. Warren replied, ' I have no command 
here ; I have not received my commission. I come as a volunteer, and shall 
be happy to learn service from a soldier of your experience.' " 



340 PEPPERELL. 

Major Pitcairn ; but the ammunition of the Americans was 
exhausted ; a cartridge of one of the field pieces furnished 
j)0wder to load the last muskets that were discharged. 
They had few bayonets, and were obliged to use the butts 
of their guns. 

'• The enemy had entered the redoubt on one side, and 
were advancing to the rear of it, when Col. Prescott or- 
dered the retreat. He was among the last that left the 
redoubt, and before leaving it, was surrounded by the 
enemy, and had several bayonets pushed at his body, 
which he parried with his sword, in the use of which he 
had some skill ; they, however, pierced his banyan ^ and 
waistcoat, but he was not wounded.'^ 

" Col. Prescott was always confident he could have 
maintained his position, with the handful of men under 
his command, if he had been supplied with ammunition. 
The British staggered before they entered the redoubt, 
and he thought would not have rallied, if they had been 
again repulsed. 

" On his return to Cambridge, he immediately repaired 
to head-quarters, where he found the commander-in-chief, 
Gen. Ward, in great distress, apprehensive that the enemy, 
encouraged by their success, might advance on Cambridge 
and attempt to penetrate into the country. Col. Prescott 
assured him, that the enemy's confidence would not be 
increased by the result of the action, and offered to retake 
the heights that night, or perish in the attempt, if the 
commander-in-chief would give him three regiments, 
with bayonets and sufficient ammunition. The com- 
mander-in-chief thought, perhaps justly, that the charac- 

8 " Dr. Oliver Prescott, the y)unger, who relates the fact, says, that soon 
after the battle, he was at Pcpperell, and his uncle, Col Prescott, shewed him 
the banyan and waistcoat, and the rents or holes made in them by the British 
bayonets." 

" Eii^ht of the Pepperell soldiers were killed in this battle, and eight 
wounded. The names of the whole company are preserved in the town 
records. 



COL. WILLIAM PRESCOTT. 341 

ter and situation of his army would not justify so bold a 
measure. We afterwards saw, that this battle made a 
lasting impression on Gen. Howe's mind, and rendered 
him an over-cautious commander during the remainder of 
his command." 

"Col. Prescott continued in the service until the end 
of 1776. He was stationed at Governor's Island, New 
York, until the Americans were obliged to retire from the 
city. The good order, in which he brought off his regi- 
ment, was noticed and publicly commended by Gen. 
Washington. At the end of this campaign, he returned 
to his farm and family in Pepperell, where he resided till 
his death. In the autumn of 1777, he went as a volun- 
teer, accompanied by some of his former officers, to assist 
in the capture of the army under Gen. Burgoyne, which 
was his last military service." Perhaps his exertions and 
activity in the suppression of Shays's insurrection, and 
going to Concord with his side arms, to protect the courts, 
should be excepted in the last remark. 

After his retirement from the army, he served his 
townsmen in the municipal offices of clerk and selectman, 
and represented the town in the General Court three 
years. He was an acting magistrate for the remainder of 
his life. He died October 13, 1795, £et. 69. 

In his person he was tall, his frame large and muscular, 
but not corpulent, his features strong and intelligent. 
He possessed a strong mind, but had not the advantage of 
much education, a common town school being the only 
seminary he ever attended ; so he was self-taught. Yet 
he was fond of reading, especially history, in which he 
spent much of his time, evenings and nights. His man- 
ners were plain but courteous ; his disposition benevolent 
and kind ; he was liberal even beyond his means ; and 
was always ready to assist others in their affairs to the 
neglect of his own. 



342 



PEPPERELL. 



He married Abigail Hale of Sutton, by whom he had 
one son, the late Hon. William Prescott of Boston. She 
was a kind, prudent, amiable and excellent wife, such a 
companion for life as such a man as Col. Prescott ought 
to choose. Her extraordinary care and prudence, not 
tinctured in the least with selfishness or parsimony, were 
a salutary counterpart to his liberality and negligence of 
his own affairs. She survived him twenty-six years, con- 
tinuing her residence on the Prescott estate in Pepperell, 
respected and beloved by all her neighbors and friends, 
till her death, October 21, 1821, at the advanced age of 
88 years. 

Pepperell was the birth-place, though not the constant 
residence, of William Prescott, the only offspring of Col- 
William and Abigail Prescott. A short memoir of so 
wise, so great, and so good a man, must not be omitted in 
a history of the place of his nativity, and the place of his 
retirement in summer for many years and until his death. 
He was born August 19, 1762. He lived in his father's 
family on the farm till he was fourteen years of age, 
working like other farmers' boys of his age, and attending 
the common district school the short time it was kept 
each season, and for several years visited his uncle in 
Groton, and attended school there a month or six weeks 
at a time. In the autumn of 1776, he was put to Dum- 
mer's school at Byfield to prepare for college, under the 
instruction of that famous master, Samuel Moody. In 
July, 1779, being well fitted, according to the require- 
ments of that day, he entered Harvard college. Having 
there studied the usual time, he received his first degree, 
and immediately, (even a little before the end of his last 
term in college,) commenced school keeping in Brooklyn, 
Connecticut. Here, however, he tarried but a few 
months, the school which was intended by its patrons for 
an Academy being discontinued for want of funds. Soon 
after his return home, he was recommended to a private 



JUDGE WILLIAM PRESCOTT. 343 

school ill Beverly, where he could enjoy the advantage of 
readmg law with an eminent counsellor, Hon. Nathan 
Dane. This he found a very eligible situation, both for 
the acquisition of knowledge and forming valuable ac- 
quaintances, both of which he improved to advantage, 
for present enjoyment and future usefulness. 

In 1787, he was admitted to the bar, and in the absence 
of Mr. Dane, he being at Congress, opened an office in Bev- 
erly. But on Mr. Dane's return to resume his professional 
business, Mr. Prescott removed to Salem, where he prac- 
ticed extensively and successfully nineteen years. He then 
removed to Boston, where he devoted himself principally 
to professional business till 1828, when his health obliged 
him to relinquish it. Besides his practice as an advocate 
and counsellor, he filled many stations in the service of 
his country with fidelity, and to the universal acceptation 
of his constituents and the public. He was representa- 
tive in the General Court for Salem in 1798, and the 
three next succeeding years, and served the city of Boston 
several years in the same capacity. He was senator for 
the county of Essex in 1805, but declined a re-election. 
He was one of the executive council in 1809, under Gov, 
Gore, and in the same office several years during Gov. 
Strong's administration. He twice had the ofier of a seat 
on the bench of the supreme judicial court, but in both 
instances declined it. He was afterwards induced to 
accept the office of judge of the court of common pleas 
for the city of Boston, but having filled it about a year, 
and finding its duties irksome, he resigned it. In 1820, 
he was chosen by the citizens of Boston a delegate to the 
convention for altering and amending the State constitu- 
tion. 

To close this account of public services, in which chro- 
nological order has not been exactly pursued, one more 
must be named, which, however some may be disposed 
to undervalue it, was no less a mark of his patriotism to 



V 



344 PEPPKRELL. 

accept, than of the high estimation in which he was held 
by the most intelHgent part of his fellow citizens. He was 
appointed by the Legislature of Massachusetts in 1814, a 
delegate to meet in convention with other delegates of the 
New England States at Hartford, " the great object of 
which was, to convince Congress, and the administration, 
of the sufferings of the people of New England, the dan- 
gers to which they were exposed, their inability to defend 
their extensive sea coast at their own expense, the troops 
stationed along it having been withdrawn to the frontier, 
and to induce the government to provide for its defence 
during the war, and to make peace, asisoon as it could 
be done consistently with the honor and interest of the 
country." 

" Being deeply engaged (I quote his own words) in 
professional business, and thinking 1 had devoted a full 
share of my time to the service of the public for several 
years preceding, it was with reluctance I accepted the ap- 
pointment. My friends urged me, alleging that there 
was reason to fear that some rash measure might be pro- 
posed in the convention, that I should oppose ; and enter- 
taining some apprehension on this head myself, and think- 
ing I might be of some service in such an event, I yielded. 
I am happy to be able to state, that these apprehensions 
proved entirely groundless ; that no such measure was 
ever proposed in the convention ; nor was there a mem- 
ber of that body, who, in my opinion, would have con- 
sented to any act, which would have tended directly or 
indirectly to impair the union of the States. Their pro- 
ceedings were thought tame, when their report first ap- 
peared ; afterwards, as it is well known, they afforded 
unscrupulous demagogues a fruitful topic for declamation 
and calumny." 

In the year 1814, Harvard University conferred on 
him the degree of Doctor of Laws, and the same year he 
was elected a member of the American Academy of Arts 
and Sciences. 



HON. WM. PRESCOTT. 345 

In December, 1793, he married Catharine G. Hickling, 
daughter of Thomas Hickhng, Esq., of the island of St. 
Michael's ; and an exceedingly happy connection it proved 
to be, though the untimely death of so many of their 
children served as an alloy to their otherwise happy allot- 
ment. They had seven children, four of whom died in 
infancy. William Hickling, the well-known historian, 
and Elizabeth, wife of Hon. Franklin Dexter, are still 
living. Edward Goldsborough, who was graduated at 
Harvard University, in 1825, and was an ordained 
minister of the Episcopalian order, died in 1844. 

The writer of *in obituary notice of Judge Prescott, 
truly says of him : " The last sixteen years of his life 
were spent in the quietness of his home, where the 
original qualities of his nature, disencumbered from the 
care that had so long oppressed him, seemed to come 
forth with the freshness of youth. Not that he could be 
permitted to withdraw himself from all concern in private 
or public interests, in which he had been for forty years 
a part, and not unfrequently an important part. On the 
contrary, the troops of friends that gathered round his old 
age, still came to him, as they had always come before, 
with their own burdens, and perhaps yet oftener with the 
exigencies of the state. For no man in this community, 
during the last quarter of a century, felt himself too high, 
either from his position or from his talents, to ask counsel 
of Mr. Prescott's wisdom ; and we and our children shall 
feel the benefit of his noiseless influence, in our institu- 
tions and affairs, as long as the present structure and tone of 
society shall last. Thus he walked onward in the paths of 
a venerable and beloved old age, with peace and cheerful- 
ness, full of the deepest reverence for God, and overflow- 
ing with sympathy and good will to his fellow-men." 

" In the autumn of 1843, he had a slight attack of 
paralysis. On Sunday morning, December 8, 1844, he 
rose and went to his library, as usual, but had hardly 
44 



346 PEPPERELL. 

reached it, when he perceived that the messenger of death 
was at his side. In a few moments, surrounded by the 
family he so much loved, in the full possession of his 
faculties, and with a peaceful trust in his Maker and in 
the blessedness of a future life, he expired without a 
struggle." 

At a meeting of the Suffolk Bar, December 10, 1844, a 
distinguished member remarked, " The oldest member of 
our association has departed this life. He had lived to an 
extraordinary age, and though retired for many years 
from active life, he was known and respected by all of us, 
to some of us very long and intimately. No man ever 
lived among us of more amiable demeanor or purer char- 
acter. He was a man whose integrity was incorruptible, 
and whose manners were most gentle and kind ; but 
whose firmness of principle, and at the same time, inde- 
pendence of character, were never to be questioned." 

At the same meeting, the following resolution was 
unanimously adopted : 

" Resolved, That the late William Prescott, whose 
sudden decease at a good old age, calls forth this tribute 
of respect, presented to his associates, throughout a long 
life, whether at the bar, or on the bench, or in the digni- 
fied retirement of his late years, such an eminent example 
of modest talent, substantial learning, and unpretending 
wisdom, with affable manners, strong social affections, 
absolute fidelity in every station of life, and probity 
beyond the slightest suspicion of reproach, as rarely 
adorns even the highest walks of professional excellence. 
Concerning whom can it be more appropriately asked 
than of him — 

" ' Cui pudor, et justitise soror, 
Incorrupta fides, nudaque Veritas, 
Quando ulluni invenient parem ?' " 



CHAPTER XVII. 

Remarkable Providences. 

Under this title, in the church records made by the 
Rev. Mr. Emerson, are the following incidents, thought 
worthy of publication : 

"July 28, 1748. About one o'clock, afternoon, we 
had a terrible hurricane, accompanied with shocking 
thunder. The course of the whirlwind was from south- 
west to north-east, though often varying sometimes to 
the east, and sometimes to the west. It tore up a vast 
number of large trees by the roots, entirely demolished 
two or three buildings, shattered several dwelling-houses, 
carrying off the boards from the roof, sides, &c. It tore 
away a considerable part of the roof of the meeting-house. 
When it came with its violence, it threw down the 
fences, stone walls, and laid the corn even with the 
ground. One house, which it took in its way, was garri- 
soned, and one part of the garrison was stove with 
violence against the house, the other sides thrown to the 
ground, part of the roof of the house carried away, and 
some things in the chamber were afterwards found above 
a mile from the place. A woman and three small chil- 
dren being in the house, were wonderfully preserved ; and 
what was very remarkable, the woman, when she heard 
the wind, took her children to go into another building, 



348 PEPFERELL. 

where she thought she should be more safe, but was 
hindered by the door being stopped by part of the garri- 
son drove up against it ; and the building she was going 
to was entirely demolished, not so much as the sills 
remaining in their places. The air, for a quarter of an 
hour, which was near the time it was passing through the 
parish, was full of leaves, hay, pieces of timber and boughs 
of trees. It went quite through the parish, and stopped 
or lost its impetuosity at the line between New Hamp- 
shire and this province, which is a few rods from the 
bounds of the parish. 

Notwithstanding all this desolation, through the good- 
ness of God there was not one life lost, either of man or 
beast, though several persons were in imminent danger, 
and many creatures so enclosed with fallen trees, that 
they could not extricate themselves. The damage sus- 
tained was very considerable. One man, in the destruc- 
tion of his buildings, corn, hay, fences, and apple-trees, 
hath lost above £500. 

" September, 24, 1750. A child of William Spaulding 
drowned in a well, oet. one year three months. 

"July 15, 1752. Towards night, was heard distinctly, 
by some of the most credible people among us, in the air, 
the beat of a drum, a discharge of three guns, like 
cannon,^ 

"July 19, 1753. Abiel Richardson, a man above thirty 
years old, assisting at the raising of Dunstable meeting- 
house, fell and died in a moment. 

"Nov. 10, 1755. About fifteen minutes past four 
o'clock in the morning, there was felt, through all New 
England, a most surprising earthquake, the most terrible 
that was ever known in this country. It lasted about 
three or four minutes. It shook down abundance of 



' Probably the bursting of a meteor, like that at Weathersfield, Connec- 
ticut, some years since, accompanied with the fall of meteoric stones. 



GREAT EARTHQ,UAKE — SICKNESS. 349 

chimneys, in one part of the country and another, racked 
buildings, threw down stone walls. The shock was 
most terrible near the sea coast. From Boston we have 
the following account : ' Many chimneys, not much less 
than a hundred, are levelled with the roofs of the houses ; 
many more, not fewer than 1,200 or 1,600, are shattered 
and thrown down in part, so that in some places the streets 
are almost covered with the bricks which are fallen. 
Some chimneys, though not thrown down, are dislocated 
or broken several feet from the top, and partly turned 
round, as upon a swivel ; some are shoved on one side, 
horizontally, jutting over, and jusi nodding to the fall. 
The gable ends of several brick buildings, perhaps of 
twelve or fifteen, are thrown down from the roofs, and 
the houses to the eaves. The roofs of some houses are 
quite broken in by the fall of some chimneys. Some 
pumps (wells) are sadly dried up. Many clocks are 
stopped by being so violently agitated. 

" About an hour after, another shock was felt, not very 
hard, and several smaller ones in the week, especially on 
Saturday evening, between eight and nine o'clock, which 
was harder than any, except the first. But through the 
goodness of God, not one life lost anywhere, as we hear. 
The first shock was heard in the southern provinces.^ 

" In the latter part of summer and fall of 1756, we, of 
Pepperell, were visited with grievous sickness. From 
August 5, to the last of October, there were above 180 
persons sick, of which number 18 died, chiefly of a burn- 
ing ague. September 16, we kept a day of fasting and 

* The reader may be apprised, that the tremendous earthquake which 
sunk a great portion of the city of Lisbon, and shook all Europe, was on the 
first of November, seventeen days only previous to this New England 
earthquake. It can easily be conceived, that the same cause which pro- 
duced the former, might be the preliminary one of the latter, or rather that 
the disturbance made in the interior parts of the earth by the former, might 
cause a further disturbance at a distant part of the earth, which, however, 
might not take place for several days after. 



350 PEPPERELL. 

prayer, and December 13, as a day of thanksgiving, when 
the sickness seemed to be entirely removed. 

" We were visited again with grievous sickness in 
1757, the same iUness we had last year. From the 
beginning of July to the middle of October, there were 
219 persons sick, of which number 25 died, 17 heads of 
families. 

" In 1758, we were again visited with the same grie- 
vous illness we have been for two years before. From 
the first of August to the middle of October, there were 
96 persons sick of the fever, of which number 11 died, 
7 of whom were heads of families.^ 



3 January 3, 1760, was set apart by Mr. Emerson, his church and congre- 
gation, as a day of thanksgiving, '' to commemorate the goodness of God to 
them the year past, especially in the removal of sickness and the return of 
so many soldiers from the army." In the sermon preached on this occasion, 
Mr. Emerson says, " It pleased God, in the summer of 1755, to visit us with 
that grievous fever, by which we have suffered so much, and which hath, 
from its beginning with us, obtained the name of the Pepperell fever." The 
district contained about ninety families. After enumerating its ravages in 
four successive years, he sums up the whole thus: "In the four years 
abovementioned, there were above 540 persons sick; 103 died, of whom 16 
were soldiers from home, or just after their return ; no less than 48 heads 
of families; 64 grown persons. How great was our distress for two years, 
especially in the height of the sickness, and we, notwithstanding, obliged to 
find our quota for the war ! I know not that we were eased more than a 
single man, excepting the time of the general alarm, when fort William 
Henry was besieged, in 1757, when our proportion was above twenty men, 
at which time there were not so many able to bear arms in the place, besides 
those who were necessarily taken up in attending on the sick in their own 
families, the field officers were so good as not to call for any. One of the 
years, there were near 200 confined at the same time. Your pastor at the 
point of death, and then confined from the house of God for four months. 
And of this large number who have been sick, I know not of ten persons 
who have been visited with the same distemper twice. Nor should we 
forget the bounty we received by order of authority, namely, fifty pounds, to 
be distributed amongst the greatest sufferers." 

The proximate cause of this Pepperell fever has been thought to be the 
miasma arising from decayed vegetable matter. The swamp or meadow of 
John Shattuck, near Henry Jewett's, had been overgrown with bushes and 
various vegetables ; and in order to kill them and bring the land into a state 
of cultivation, a dam was built and the swamp overflowed with water. 



ACCIDENTS, 351 

" January 5, 1757. The house inhabited by Benjamin 
Jewett. was burned to the ground, and every thing in it ; 
two small children narrowly escaped. The loss he 
sustained he imagines to be near £400, old tenor. The 
house was not his own. Collected for him, by public 
contribution, in money and other things, to the value of 
£60, old tenor. 

''May 24, 1757. The house of the widow Woods was 
struck with lightning, which came in near tlte chimtiei/, 
and went out at the door J' 

Dr. Franklin's discoveries and experiments in the 
electric phenomena had not at this date been made. If 
they had been, and had come to Mr. Emerson's knowl- 
edge, he would not have told of the lightning's going out 
at the door. 

" March 20, 1760. A fire broke out in Boston, and 
raged in such a manner, as in a few hours to destroy one 
hundred and seventy-four dwelling houses, and as many 
warehouses, shops and other buildings ; the loss whereof, 
the furniture and goods therein, was judged at a moderate 
computation, £100,000 sterling. Governor Pownal sent 
briefs through the province for a general contribution. 
Accordingly we had one here, and collected £64 125. old 
tenor. 

" January ] 7, 1762. The wife of Josiah Nutting was 
delivered of a monstrous birth ; the child had no eyes, 

When the water had been drawn off, and the vegetable matter exposed to a 
summer's sun, the stench was very offensive, and extended perceptibly for 
several miles around. This, in the opinion of men learned in physiolooy, 
was a cause Sufficient to produce the fever. It has been further said, that 
the shrub, commonly called white dog-wood, more properly poison sumach 
{Rhusvcrnix,) abounded in the swamp; but whether this circumstance added 
to the deleterious property, is problematical. On the other hand it has been 
said, that a similar disease had been prevalent in New Hampshire, and the 
adjoining parts of Ma.ssachusetts, for two or three years previous, and that its 
cause was not confined to a small locality. Which of these suppositions is 
the correct one, or whether either be true, each reader may judge for him- 
self. 



352 PEPPERELL. 

no ears, no nose, a large mouth, very large tongue, which 
hung out ; no neck, no proper distinction of sex, a mon- 
strous large belly, had on one hand six fingers and a 
thumb, on the other five fingers and a thumb, seven toes 
on one foot and six on the other. The midwife said it 
died in the birth. 

" June 15, 1763, P. M. A remarkable thunder shower 
with hail. The shower was narrow as to width, perhaps 
not above a mile and a half or two miles, its length from 
the middle of Pepperell to Merrimack river in Dunstable. 
The hailstones very large ; in Dunstable near as big as 
hen's eggs, but not round ; the shape very various, some 
oval, others long, like hard pieces of ice, two or three 
inches long ; some almost flat, near as big as a dollar ; 
one near Pepperell meeting-house, measured better than 
three and one half inches round. It did considerable 
damage, breaking windows, beating down and cutting of 
the rye, &ic. It lasted but a few minutes. In some 
places the ground was covered. When these hailstones 
were put together, they would freeze, though the weather 
was very hot before and after the shower. 

"July 19, 1763. Jonathan, son of Deacon Blood, 
almost twenty-one years of age, driving a cart loaded 
with boards, fell ; the cart wheel ran over his stomach. 
He died in about an hour and a half. 

" September 18, 1767. In the night the house of 
Eleazer Gilson was entirely consumed by fire. They 
could save but very little of their household stufi". 

" January, 1768. In the night following, the house of 
David Shed was consumed by fire ; his mother narrowly 
escaped by getting out at a window. 

"June 24, 1769. Eleazer Chamberlin, son of Phin- 
ehas Chamberlin, a young man of about twenty-two 
years of age, going into Lancaster river to wash himself, 
was drowned. 

"April 11, 1772. Isaac Corey was drowned. The 



ACCIDENTS. 353 

manner of it was something remarltable. The printed 
account in the paper was as follows : Mr. Isaac Corey, a 
man near sixty years of age, having ferried over two men 
across Lancaster river, against his own house, and re- 
turned almost to the shore, from whence he had set off, 
by some accident the canoe filled, he was immediately 
carried down the current (the river being very high and 
the* water running exceeding swift) near two miles, 
during which he was seen by several, standing at one 
end of the canoe, up to his armpits in water, the other 
end just out of the water ; he was heard by many calling 
out for help, but none could get to him to relieve him. 
The canoe was seen to pass over the falls about a mile 
below where he was seen last, with the bottom up. 

"August 2, 1772. The above Mr. Corey was found 
floating upon the water in the river, about a mile below 
where he was last seen." 

" August 24, 1776. A child of Mr. John Bowers, in 
the fourth year of his age, was drowned by falling into a 
vat in his tan yard. 

" Lord's day, — 1777. The dweUing house of Mr. 
Solomon Rogers was entirely consumed by fire." ^ 



' These two last items entered by the Rev. Mr. Bullard. 



45 



CHAPTER XVIIl. 

'Common Schools — Academy — Trustees — Instructors. 

In 1741, the town of Groton voted to have their school 
kept a part of the time at Nissitissit, which was probably 
on the west side of the river, and the first school kept on 
that side. After the west side had been set off as a par- 
ish, viz. in 1749, a number of the parishioners petitioned 
the town of Groton for the means of supporting a school. 
The petition was granted on condition a school-room 
should be provided without expense to the town. The 
condition was complied with, and the town granted £13 
6s. 8d. In 1750, the parish voted that their committee 
should take some method to obtain of the town their 
proportion of the school money. In 1751, the parish 
voted to raise £13 6s. 8d. to be laid out in schooling; 
but in January, 1751-2, they voted not to put it into the 
assessment. After it had become a district, in 1753, a 
vote passed to raise £7 10s. for schooling, and another, 
that the school should be kept at the nearest convenient 
place to the meeting-house ; and that all who lived more 
than two miles distant, might draw their proportion of 
the money, and appropriate it for schooling, as they 
should see fit. In 1754, it was voted, that the school 
should be kept in three places ; but it was afterwards 
altered to two. In 1764, a school-house is first men- 
tioned, being in the middle of the district ; but in 1770, 
the school is voted to be kept in four places, all in dwel- 



COMMON SCHOOLS. 366 

ling houses. In 1771, the school-house is again men- 
tioned, and a vote is passed to have a grammar master. 
It appears by votes passed in 1772, that the centre 
school-house belonged to individuals, and the district 
voted to pay £10 13s. 4c?. for it, and to build four more. 

November 2, 1778, the town voted to raise £400 for 
schooling, and chose a committee for each division ; by 
which it appears there were then six divisions, called the 
middle, south, southwest, west, north and east divisions. 
This division of the town into six squadrons, as they 
were usually called, continued many years, and a com- 
mittee of three persons in each squadron, was annually 
chosen to see that the money was properly laid out. In 
1809, the above names of the squadrons are dropped, and 
numerical districts are adopted in their stead. In May, 
1819, anew school district, embracing Babbitasset village, 
was formed, and called No. 7. November, 1820, district 
No. 6 was divided, and district No. 8 was formed. March, 
1835, No. 2 was divided, and No. 9 formed, but were after- 
wards reunited. This division of the town into eight 
school districts, numerically named, remains to the present 
time. Each district has a school-house, seven of which 
are of brick. 

The moneys granted for the support of schools at seve- 
ral times, were as follow. In 1758, £10 ; in 1768, £25; 
in 1778, £400, continental : in 1788, £90 ; in 1798, 
£150; in 1808,^500; in 1818,^600; in 1828,^750; 
in 1838, $850 ; in 1847, $1,000. 

About the beginning of the year 1834, a number of 
gentlemen, belonging to Pepperell, desirous of having a 
seminary of a higher grade than a common district school, 
in which youth of both sexes might acquire a more ex- 
tensive education, and young men might be prepared for 
college, formed themselves into a voluntary association, 
for the purpose of erecting a suitable building and procur- 



356 



PEPPERELL. 



ing the necessary means of instruction. On the 27th of 
January, in that year, the associates held their first meet- 
ing, consulted upon measures to be pursued, and adopted 
a few simple rules for their present and immediate govern- 
ment. Every subscription of twenty-five dollars, consti- 
tuted a share, and entitled the subscriber of it to a vote in 
the company. The following subscriptions were then 
made, viz. 



Seth Nason, 
Nehemiah Cutter, 
Samuel Parker, 
Samuel Farrar, 
Ralph Jewett, 
John Lawrence, 
Henry Jewett, 
Jonas Parker, 
Jacob Chase, 
John Blood, 
And. Emerson, 



Carried up, 24 



shr's 


$100 


(( 


175 


i( 


75 


(( 


50 


(( 


25 


ii 


25 


(1 


50 


(( 


25 


(( 


25 


u 


25 


(( 


25 




$600 



Brought up, 


24 shr's 


$G00 


Edmund Blood, 


1 


a 


25 


A. B. Cobleigh, 


1 


^l 


25 


Samuel S. Ames, 


1 


u 


25 


Rev. James Howe, 


1 


(( 


25 


John Bullard, 


4 


a 


100 


Arnold Hutchinson 


, 1 


11 


25 


David Blood, Jr., 


2 


<( 


50 


Nathan Shepley, 


1 


it 


25 


John Ames, 


2 


(( 


50 


E. D. Eldridge, 


1 


(t 


25 


Noah Blood, 


1 


u 


25 



40 $1,000 



At subsequent meetings, appropriate officers and com- 
mittees were chosen, and so earnestly was the work pur- 
sued, that on the 10th day of June following, a handsome 
and convenient building was completed by Dr. Cutter, 
the contractor, accepted by the proprietors, and the school 
was opened with appropriate religious exercises, under 
the charge of Mr. and Mrs. Erasmus D. Eldridge. 

At the session of the Legislature in 1841, they obtained 
an act of incorporation, and soon after a board of trustees 
were chosen. The following list contains the names of 
all the trustees from that time to the present. 



Rev. David Andrews, 
Dr. Nehemiah Cutter, 
Mr. Samuel Farrar, 
Mr. John Farrar, 
Mr. Seth Nason, 
Capt Henry Jewett, 
Mr. John Blood, 



Pepperell, 



1841, 



Died, resigned, &c. 



ACADEMY. 






357 


Residence. 


Cboaen. 


Died, resigned, Sc. 


Boston, 


1841. 


resigned. 


1842 


Nashua, N. H., 


u 


vacated. 


1843 


Hollis, N. H., 


u 


vacated. 


1843 


Acton, 


u 


resigned. 


1845 


Harvard, 


u 


resigned, 


1845 


Dunstable, 


(( 






Shirley, 


(( 


resigned. 


1845 


Boston, 


(( 


resigned. 


1842 


Brookline, N, H., 


, 1842. 






Pepperell, 


1843. 






Boston, 


1844, 


declined. 




Hollis, N. H., 


u 






Brookline, N, H. 


, 1845. 






Pepperell, 


(( 






Ijnstructors. 









Namea. 

Rev. Silas Aiken, 
Rev. Jonathan Magee, 
Rev. Daniel Perry, 
Rev. James T. Woodbury, 
Rev. George Fisher, 
Rev. Levi Brigham, 
Rev. Hope Brown, 
Mr. Joseph Breck, 
Rev. Daniel Goodwin, 
Rev. Charles Babbidge, 
Rev. Nehemiah Adams, 
Rev. James Aiken, 
Dr. David Harris, 
Hon. Asa F. Lawrence, 



1834, June 10, Erasmus D. Eldridge and wife, to November, 1837 

1837, George Cook, August, 1838 

1838, Harvey B. Wilbur, February, 1839 

1839, Willard Brigham, 1840 

1840, Horace Herrick, May, 1841 

1841, Josiah W. Pillsbury, 1843 
1843, Moses Case. 



In 1841, the sum of $200 was expended for apparatus 
for the use of the scholars. The institution has subsisted 
entirely upon the tuition paid by the students ; having no 
funds for paying for instruction. The number of pupils 
has averaged about thirty or forty. It is now, as it gene- 
rally has been, in a prosperous condition, and is apparently 
a useful institution. 



CHAPTER XIX. 

HISTORY OF SHIRLEY. 

Boundaries — Stow-Leg — Petitioners' names — First meeting and 
officers — Burying ground and training field — First meeting-house 
— Second meeting-house — Bell — United Believers, or Shakers — 
Universalists — Orthodox Congregational Society. 

In the foregoing history of Groton, Chapter V., it is 
shown that the southwest part of that town was incorpo- 
rated a district by the name of Shirley,^ January 5, 1753. 
Its boundaries, as set off, were as follows : commencing at 
the place where Squannacook river empties into the 
Nashua ; thence northwesterly by Squannacook river to 
the westerly line of Groton ; thence southerly on said line, 
bounding on Townsend and Lunenburg, to the southwest 
corner of Groton ; thence easterly on Groton line, by that 
part of Stow called " Stow Leg," to Nashua river ; thence 
northerly down said river to the mouth of the Squanna- 
cook. 

By an act of the General Court, in 1765, ^ Stow-Leg 

' No reason, by tradition or otherwise, is given for this name. It was 
probably in honor of William Shirley, then governor of the province. 

- By accident or otherwise, the westerly line of Stow-Leg is not an exact 
continuance of the west line of Groton, but inclines a little to the east from 
Groton old corner to Lunenburg corner. This variation has not been noticed 
by the selectmen of Lunenburg and Shirley in their perambulations of the 
line; and they have passed from the bound at the southwest corner of Stow- 
Leg a straight line to the bound in Groton line at Squannacook river, leaving 



PETITIONERS FOR A DISTRICT. 359 

being a territory about two hundred rods in breadth, and 
entending in length one mile, from Lunenburg line to 
Nashua river, was annexed to Shirley. Also by another 
act, the farms of Moody Chase, Samuel Chase and Simon 
Daby, or Darby, an irregular shaped territory, on the east 
side of Nashua river, were in 1798, set off from Groton 
and annexed to Shirley. The territory first described, 
with the two annexations, comprises the present town of 
Shirley.^ 

At what time the first settlement upon this territory 
was made is not known, but from several considerations 
it is probable a settlement was commenced about the year 
1720. There was no bridge talked of, over Nashua river, 
leading to that place, till 1722, and none built till 1726. 
The first birth of a white person, on the west side of 
Nashua river, is said to be that of Samuel Shattuck, Sep- 
tember 25, 1726, and that birth was in what is now Pep- 
perell, which is supposed to have been settled as soon as 
Shirley, or a little before. The first indication of the in- 
habitants' desire to be a separate parish, or district, is the 
petition of John Whitney and thirty-two others, inserted 
in Chapter V. of Groton. The names of the petitioners 
were : 



John Whitney, 
John Williams, 
David Gould, 
John Kelsey, 
Phinehas Burt, 
Joseph Wilson, 
Thomas Laughton, 
James Patterson, 
Jonathan Gould, 
Robert Henry, 



John Williams, Jr., 
Jacob Williams, 
William Farwell, 
Jonas Longley, 
Oliver Farwell, 
Isaac Holden, 
Jerahmael Powers, 
Philemon Holden, 
Stephen Holden, Jr., 
William Simonds, 



the bound of old Groton southwest corner about five and a half rods to the 
west of the straight line. This error having been lately discovered, a petition 
for its correction is pending in the Legislature. 

•* A petition was once presented to the General Court to have one mile is 
width taken from the easterly side of Lunenburg and annexed to Shirley, 
but it did not prevail. 



360 SHIRLEY. 



William Preston, 
William Williams, 
Henry P^arwell, 
Josiah Farwell, 
John Russell, 
James Park, 
Daniel Page, 



Joseph Dodge, 
Moses Bennett, Jr., 
Caleb Bartlett, 
Francis Harris, 
Caleb llolden, 
Hezekiah Sawtell, Jr. 



This list probably contains nearly or quite all the men 
of the place in 1747, the date of the petition. The town 
seems not to have made any objection to their being set 
off, but the act of the General Court for the purpose was 
not passed and signed by the Governor till January 5, 
1753. The first district meeting was held at the house 
of Mr. John Whitney, (the present poor-house,) March 5, 
1753, at which the district officers where chosen. The 
warrant for this meeting was issued by John Whitney, 
and served by Nathaniel Harris. Jonathan Bigelow was 
chosen moderator ; Joseph Longley district clerk ; Joseph 
Longley, Samuel Hazen, Nathaniel Harris, John Whitney 
and William Simons, selectmen and assessors. 

Upon a petition of the inhabitants of the district of 
Shirley, to the proprietors of common lands of Groton, for 
a parcel of land for a burying ground, the proprietors in- 
serted the following article in a warrant for their meeting, 
to be holden March 7, 1755, viz. 

" 4. To see if the proprietors will give the district of 
Shirley a piece of land for a burying place, where their 
burying place now is, and say how much, &;c." 

At their meeting, the proprietors voted to give four 
acres, for " a burying place and training field," and subse- 
quently their committee reported as follows : 

" Shirley, April 17, 1755. Then we, the subscribers, 
pursuant to the vote of the proprietors of Groton, have 
laid out a piece of land for a burying place and training 
field, in the district of Shirley, and it bounds as followeth : 
beginning at the northwest corner at a chestnut tree, 



FIRST MEETING-HOUSE. 361 

thence the line runs southerly twenty-eight poles, to a 
red oak tree ; thence easterly twenty-four poles, to a red 
oak ; thence northerly twenty-eight poles, to a dead 
white oak tree ; thence westerly twenty-four poles, to the 
chestnut first mentioned. The same piece of land con- 
tains four acres and sixteen poles." 

It appears, that previous to this gift from the proprie- 
tors, the inhabitants had selected a spot about half a mile 
to the north of this, and had buried a few bodies therein, 
which was abandoned, and the parcel above described 
taken for the purpose. A slate monument therein bears 
this inscription, " This stone is erected in memory of 
the first burial in this yard, Abraham Holden, son of 
Lieut. Simon Holden and Sarah his wife, who died 
April 18, 1754, aged 11 months." 

The first proceeding recorded respecting a meeting- 
house for the district, is under date of October 24, 1753, 
At a meeting held that day, at the house of Robert 
Henry, the inhabitants " adjourned to the meeting-house 
place, and then voted to move the meeting-house place 
from where the committee stated it, about thirty poles 
west, to a white oak tree and heap of stones." William 
Simonds, Jerahmael Powers, and Samuel Walker were 
chosen a committee " to move the meeting-house," pro- 
bably the timber for the house. At the same meeting, the 
price of labor on the house was fixed, at four shillings per 
day for a man, and one shilling for a pair of oxen. 
Sometime in November following, the frame was set up. 
Its site is said to have been nearly opposite the present 
centre school-house. 

In December following, two district meetings were 
holden, at which it was voted to raise £16, to provide 
materials for the house, that each inhabitant might find 
his proportion of the materials, that the house should be 
covered on the outside, the roof with long shingles, 
46 



362 SHIRLEY. 

(afterwards altered to short ones,) both floors laid ; and to 
be done by the middle of May next. 

At a meeting held May 3, 1754, the time for com- 
pleting the above mentioned work, and underpinning the 
house, was extended to four weeks from that day. Sub- 
sequently this rude structure, as it must have been, was 
furnished with seats, both on the ground floor and gal- 
lery ; and leave was granted to the inhabitants to pur- 
chase and erect pews on the sides. The difiicult but 
customary operation of " seating the meeting-house," 
was performed annually, the rank in dignity of the seats 
determined, and the assignment made according to the 
amount of taxes paid by the inhabitants, unless some 
immorality degraded them. Ten years after its erection, 
and after a minister was settled, votes passed to repair it, 
put a window into the ministerial pew, and that as much 
light be given to the pulpit as possible. A wise provision, 
truly ! 

As the population of the district increased, this first 
meeting-house was foinid to be too small, and otherwise 
inconvenient, for a house of worship. The preliminary 
steps towards building a larger and more commodious 
house having been taken, a district meeting was held, 
June 29, 1772, when the following votes passed. 

" Voted to raise the new meeting-house, which the 
district was then about to build. Then voted to adjourn 
said meeting for half an hour to the new meeting-house 
spot, to view and consider, whether it was best to raise 
said house on the spot, where the sills were framed ; and 
upon viewing the same, returned back at time and place 
aforesaid, and voted to raise said meeting-house on the 
spot ^ where the sills were framed. Chose a committee 
to appoint the day when said house shall be raised, and 

* This was upon a parcel of land purchased for the purpose, and adjoining 
the four acres granted by the proprietors of Groton for a burying place and 
training field, and whereon the first parish meeting-house now stands. 



SECOND MEETING-HOUSE. 363 

to provide the materials for the raising said house, and 
provisions for those men, they shall appoint to raise said 
house, to the number of fifty men." 

The committee were John Ivory, Oliver Livermore, 
and John Longley. The house was fifty feet long and 
forty feet broad. The sum of £200 had been raised for 
the purpose of building said house, and on the first of 
January, 1773, it appears by the report of a committee, 
that £168 195. lOfZ. 35^5. had been then expended 
thereon. It was first occupied for religious worship, 
November 25, 1773, being the day of public thanks- 
giving. 

The old meeting-house was disposed of, and removed 
to the farm now of Mr. Joseph Day, for a barn. 

The new meeting-house remained without material 
alteration till the year 1804, when after many trials and 
hard struggles, it was determined to add a porch to each 
end of the house, to remove the flights of stairs leading 
into the galleries, from the interior to the porches, and on 
one porch to have a belfry, cupola, vane, 60c. Also to 
take out the body seats, and erect pews, and to underpin 
the house with split granite. Tliese improvements were 
eventually made, and the house accommodated the people 
without further enlargement, until the year 1839. 

April 3, in that year, a committee of five persons were 
chosen to remodel and thoroughly repair the whole 
house. The committee were Hon. Leonard M. Parker, 
Hon. James P. Whitney, Joshua B. Fowle, Almond 
Morse, and Nathaniel Holden, Jr. This committee kept 
a journal of their proceedings, by which it appears, that 
they proceeded very systematically, judiciously, and 
legally, in discharging their duties. They expended the 
sum of ^2,180 61, including payment for the old pews, 
in remodeling, repairing, and finishing the house. The 
last religious services performed in the house previous 
to these alterations; were on the 14th of July, 1839, 



364 SHIRLEY. 

and on the 27th of October following, the house was 
dedicated, in its new and more convenient shape and 
form. 

In 1772, the wife of John Hancock, of Boston, after- 
wards Governor of Massachusetts, presented for the use 
of the pulpit, a handsome folio bible. In 1804, Wallis 
Little, Esq., a wealthy farmer of Shirley, presented a bell 
for the meeting-house ; and upon the remodeling, Thomas 
Whitney, Esq., David Livermore, Almond Morse, Hon. 
James P. Whitney, Nathaniel Holden, Jr., Joseph Day, 
Thomas Whitney, Jr., Wilder Dodge, Dr. Augustus G. 
Parker, and Hon. Leonard M. Parker, defrayed the ex- 
pense of veneering the pulpit. The female members of 
the church provided a communion table and chairs ; and 
the female members of the church and society, cushions 
for the singers' seats. 

In the present year, 1847, Mrs. Henrietta Whitney, 
widow of the late Thomas Whitney, Esq., presented to 
the parish a fine toned organ, valued at $1,300. 

The first religious society, formed separate from the 
town, commenced about the year 1781, by a family in 
the south part of the town becoming attached to the 
teachings and doctrines of the noted Ann Lee, whose 
disciples call themselves United Believers ; but they are 
usually denominated " Shakers." ^ With this family a 

* Desirous of giving a true account of this society, I applied to one of the 
brethren, from whom I received the following note. 

" Esteemed friend : 

" I visited the United Believers in Shirley, the better to answer your 
request, by furnishing some matter of interest relative to this branch of that 
secluded community so much ' wondered at.' Although not numerous in 
this town, they are undeniably a very prosperous and happy people. I find 
that the man [Elijah Wilds] who was owner of the ground now occupied by 
their village, and who erected the first dwelling, (the identical house once 
occupied by Mother Ann,) has furnished a simple, unvarnished statement of 
his connection with this sect ; and as it gives a fair specimen of the spirit 
and practice of said community, and those who crossed the ocean in the N. 



UNITED BELIEVERS. 365 

number of the neighboring families sympathized, and 
soon a society of that denomination of Christians was 
formed, who erected a house of worship adapted to their 
pecuhar style and form of worship. As a community, 
they appear to be industrious in their habits, honest in 

Y. Maria, 1774, to revive in this land of religious liberty, 'the faith once 
delivered to the saints,' I think it will interest your readers more than any 
thing, which could be written by 

" Your friend, 

" liORENZO D. GROSVENOa." 

On examining the statement of Elijah Wilds, kindly furnished me, and 
accompanying this note, I find it too long for insertion entire ; but the sub- 
stance follows. 

Elijah Wilds, the founder of this sect in Shirley, was born in 1746. His 
early education was such, that he was the subject of strong religious impres- 
sions; and he sought among various denominations the true path to heaven. 
In the summer of 1781, hearing of a new sect in Harvard, he went thither, 
and was taught that the " gospel required us to confess and forsake sin," and 
" that Christ had commenced his second appearance without sin, unto salva- 
tion to all, who were willing to believe and obey." On further visitations to 
that and other families of the same persuasion, and receiving insti-uctions 
from them, he became fully convinced of the correctness of their doctrines 
and practices. W^hereupon he and his wife, who embraced the same faith, 
by whom he had had four children, heartily and sincerely became members of 
the society of " United Believers." He says of the sect, " they are a prudent, 
temperate, and charitable people ; wise, chaste, and discreet in their language 
and deportment." And of his own experience he says, " I can say in the 
uprightness and sincerity of my heart, that in obedience to the testimony of 
the gospel, which I first received from them, I have been saved from the 
power of sin and Satan, and loosed from the bands of death, under which I 
had before been bound." Mr. Wilds being a man of worldly substance, 
Mother Ann and the Elders, he says, often visited them, and "greatly 
strengthened and comforted them." On one of these visits, June 1, 1783, 
his house was surrounded, about eight o'clock, P. M., by a mob of about one 
hundred persons, mostly from Harvard, who continued there through the 
night, suffering none to go out, except one woman, who lived near by and 
had a nursing babe. By her, notice was sent to the town officers, two of 
whom came tardily in the morning to their relief The mob, however, were 
not to be restrained from violence, either by the authority of the peace offi- 
cers, or the entreaty of the Elders. Two of the Elders, consenting upon 
promise of safety, to accompany them to Harvard, after having partook of 
refreshment furnished by Mr. Wilds, they left the house. One of the two, 
however, was not permitted to return without having suffered corporeal in- 
dignities from the treacherous mob. 



366 SHIRLEY. 

their dealings, and sincere in their faith. They perem- 
torily deny some absurd notions attributed to them by 
the " world's people," such as that Mother Ann Lee pre- 
tended that she should never die ; and that the common 
translation of the Bible is not freely used in their schools 
and families. Individuals in all sects sometimes hold 
opinions not sanctioned by their teachers. So it may 
have been with the "United Believers." 

The next separation was effected by a number of indi- 
viduals converted to the doctrine of universal salvation, 
who on the 21st of September, 1812, formed a society of 
that faith ; and in the year 1816, built a meeting-house 
in the south village, near the manufacturing establish- 
ments, which was dedicated January 9, 1817. This 
house was not comely or convenient ; it answered, how- 
ever, for a place of worship till the year 1846, when it 
was remodeled, as most of the churches have been, 
which were built half a century or more ago, and with 
the addition of a tower and steeple, is made more sightly 
and tasteful, as well as more commodious. Its aisles are 
carpeted, and an organ leads in the musical part of 
worship. 

Another separation from the first parish took place in 
1820. A small number of the inhabitants formed a vol- 
untary association, organized a church, and built a small 
meeting-house of bricks, a few rods north of the first 
parish house, on land given for that purpose by Miss 
Jenny Little. The society was duly organized in 1846, 
by the name of the " Orthodox Congregational Society 
in Shirley." 

This small town, now consisting of a population of 
about one thousand inhabitants, has four distinct reli- 
gious societies, and four houses for the public worship of 
God ; a natural consequence of improvident legislation 
on the subject of religion. 



CHAPTER XX. 

Ministers — Mr. Goodhue — Mr. Sparhawk — Mr. Whitney — Church, 
Deacons, &c. — Mr. Whitney's Ministry, Character, &.c. — Mr. Tol- 
man — Ordination and Dismission — Mr. Chandler — Mr. Wood — 
Mr. Streeter — Mr. Browne, and Mr. Eaton. 

The first vote of the district of Shirley to raise money 
for hiring a minister, was passed, September 27, 1753, 
when ten pounds were granted. April 4, 1754, a com- 
mittee was chosen to ask advice of six neighboring 
ministers, about settling a minister. May 2, 1754, 
" Voted, To hire three months' preaching, and also voted, 
to try for some other minister besides what we have had." 
June 18, 1755, was appointed a fast, according to the 
custom of the times, as a preparation for giving a minister 
a call to settle in the place. A Mr. Goodhue, from Hollis, 
New Hampshire, preached some time as a candidate, and 
received two several invitations to settle ; the first of 
which he accepted conditionally, and the last he declined. 
April 30, 1760, it was again voted to take advice of the 
neighboring ministers, and probably another fast was 
kept. A Mr. Sparhawk, of Lynn, then preached some 
time, received a call to settle, but declined. At length, 
Mr. Phinehas Whitney, of Weston, a graduate at Harvard 
college, 1759, having preached some time as a candidate, 
received a unanimous invitation to become the minister 
of the district. To this invitation Mr. Whitney gave an 
affirmative answer. His ordination took place, June 23, 



368 SHIRLEY. 

1762, on which day a church was duly organized, a 
church covenant adopted and signed by the pastor and 
twelve male members. July 26, 1762, a church meeting 
was held, when John Longley and Hezekiah Sawtell 
were chosen deacons. The church covenants and con- 
fession of faith were taken from those in the church at 
Groton. They were plain, simple expressions of Chris- 
tian duties and obligations, without the unscriptural and 
unintelligible formulas which at a later period became 
general in the churches. 

The church received a present of £1 6s. 8d. from Mr. 
Samuel Barron, of Groton, which was expended for a cloth 
and cups for the communion tables; and Capt. B. Bancroft, 
of Groton, presented a flagon for the church's use. John 
Ivory was chosen deacon, December 2, 1777 ; Joseph 
Brown, July 5, 1784; and John Heald, September 13, 1790. 

Mr. Whitney's ministry exceeded half a century. It 
was peaceful, harmonious, prosperous. The only contro- 
versy he had with his people, and that seems to have been 
conducted with friendly feelings on both sides, was res- 
pecting the competency of his support. His salary, at his 
ordination, was fixed at £66 13s. Ad. This, at the time, 
Mr. Whitney acknowledged to be liberal. But as the 
revolutionary war soon after commenced, deranging the 
currency, and enhancing the price of the necessaries of 
life, that sum paid in paper currency, was evidently 
inadequate to his support. Several communications 
passed on the subject between the pastor and the people, 
and the matter was finally adjusted to the satisfaction of 
the parties, by some temporary grants, and a method of 
equalizing the salary by the price of grain. During his 
ministry, one hundred and thirty-seven persons were 
admitted to the church, in full communion ; one hundred 
and ten acknowledged the baptismal covenant ; eight 
hundred and forty-one persons were baptized. No record 
of marriages is found. 



MR. WHITNEY AND COLLEAGUE. 369 

Having suffered, several years, from a paralytic affec- 
tion, and arrived at the age of almost eighty years, he 
expired, December 13, 1819. His family are named ia 
the list of families in the Appendix. 

Mr. Whitney was a prudent manager of his temporal 
atTairs; so that, notwithstanding the smalJness of salary, 
he provided well for the education of his children, and 
left them some property. He was one of the trustees of 
Groton Academy, from its foundation till his death, and 
patronized science and literature. His standing among 
the clergymen of his time and vicinity was respectable, 
and he was often called to take part in ecclesiastical 
councils, and to deliver occasional discourses, some of 
which were published. In his religious sentiments, he 
was liberal, as were most of the clergy with whom he 
associated. He was a kind parent, affectionate husband, 
and faithful friend. 

During eight or nine of the last years of Mr. Whitney's 
life, he was wholly unable to fulfil the duties of his office. 
Occasional assistance was had, and some movements 
made to provide for permanent preaching ; and in No- 
vember, 1812, Mr. Whitney affectionately addressed his 
people on the necessity of their having another minister, 
and offered to release half his salary to facilitate the 
settlement of a colleague pastor. The town and church 
joined in giving a call to the Rev. William Bascom, to 
settle with them ; but for some cause, nothing further was 
done in the matter. Candidates were afterwards hired. 
At length, August 14, 1815, both the town and church 
voted to invite Mr. Samuel H. Tolman to become col- 
league pastor with the Rev. Mr. Whitney, and proposals 
were made for his support. Mr. Tolman gave an affirm- 
ative answer ; and on the 20th day of October, 1815, he 
was ordained. 

Mr. Tolman 's ministry was neither long nor so accept- 
able, -as was to be desired. Being strictly Calvinistic in 
47 



370 SHIRLEY. 

his views and doctrines, neither the senior pastor nor a 
majority of the peo\)\e, were pleased or edified by his 
administration. One of the deacons, John Heald, and a 
daughter, left the church, and joined a Methodist church 
in Lunenburg. Finally, difficulties occurred in raising 
money to pay Mr. Tolman his salary; and on the 31st 
day of January, 1819, he asked the church, that his rela- 
tion to them as pastor might be dissolved. The church 
assented, and an ecclesiastical council was mutually 
chosen, which convened on the 17th of February, 1819, 
and with deep expressions of regret at the necessity, and 
with a high recommendation of Mr. Tolman, dismissed 
him from his duties as pastor and minister. 

The Rev. Mr. Tolman was afterwards settled in the 
ministry at Dunstable, and subsequently at Merrimack, 
New Hampshire. During his short term of ministry at 
Shirley, fourteen persons were added to the church, 
thirteen children baptized, and five marriages celebrated. 

After Mr. Tol man's dismission and Mr. Whitney's 
death, the first parish and church were destitute of a 
settled minister for fourteen years. A due organization 
was, however, maintained, and occasional preaching, for 
a great part of the time, was hired. At length, in June, 
1834, the Rev. Seth Chandler was engaged for one year; 
at the expiration of which, he was re-engaged for a 
longer period ; and on the 5th of November, 1836, he 
received a call from the church and parish, to become 
their pastor and minister. He gave an affirmative answer 
to the invitation, and on the 14tli day of December, 1836, 
was regularly ordained by an ecclesiastical council, and 
still remains in office. 

The first settled minister over the Universalist society 
was the Rev. Mr. Jacob Wood. He was installed, 
January 1, 1818, and preached five or six years, when he 
left, and removed to Shrewsbury. A church was organ- 
ized under Mr. Wood's administration ; but after his 



MESSRS. STREETER, BROWN, EATON. 371 

departure, the ordinances were discontinued. In the year 
1829, the Rev. Russell Streeter removed from Watertown 
to Shirley, and without any formal induction to office, 
preached to the society about ten years, when he removed 
to Portland. Since the remodeling of the meeting-house, 
the Rev. Isaiah A. Coolidge, from Framingham, has been 
their minister. Another church has been organized, or a 
revival of the former one has taken place, under the 
administration of Mr. Coolidge. 

The first minister ordained over the Orthodox society, 
was the Rev. Hope Brown. The church, of which he 
was pastor, was organized, February 3d, 1828, and con- 
sisted of sixteen members ; but no legal religious society 
was formed, until 1846. Mr. Brown was ordained, 
June 22, 1830, and continued their minister till March 
26, 1844, when he was dismissed. He removed to 
Napierville, Illinois, where he is settled over a society. 
July 6, 1847, Rev. Joseph M. R. Eaton was installed 
over this society. He had been previously ordained at 
Clintonville. 



CHAPTER XXI. 

War — Instructions to Representative on Stamp Act — On Circular from 
Boston — Resolution about Tea — About Boston Port Bill — Ameri- 
can Association — Soldiers. 

The first inhabitants of Shirley were not lacking in 
the general spirit of liberty, which prevailed in their time, 
nor in men capable of expressing their views, in energetic 
language. Their instructions to their representative in 
the General Court, in October, 1765, were as follows: — 

" Ordered, That Abel Lawrence, Esq., representative 
for us and others in the Great and General Court, have a 
copy of our views ; and he is desired to conduct accord- 
ingly. Is it any matter of wonder, that every thinking 
person, in the several colonies of North America, is greatly 
alarmed by the late act of Parliament, called the Stamp 
Act, as it affects the estate and liberty of every loyal 
subject of said colonies ? It is therefore thought, by your 
constituents, that at this critical season, you would not 
be unwilling to know their minds upon this important 
affair. We look upon said act as a burden, grievous, 
distressing, and insupportable, not only likely to enslave 
the present, but future generations. The great and 
heavy load of debts lying upon us, occasioned by the late 
war, with its increasing interest, and other incidental 
charges at home, for the support of government, kc, 
have sunk us so low already, that we are wholly unable 
to bear the duties imposed upon us by the st^mp act, 



INSTRUCTIONS TO REPRESENTATIVE. 373 

which, if it take place, must and will immediately prove 
our certain ruin. With regard to the power of the 
British Parliament to lay taxes on us in such a manner, 
is, you well know, a point that has been disputed with 
great warmth on both sides of the question. We are far 
from saying or acting anything whereby we might be 
charged with disloyalty, as subjects to the best of kings, 
or that we have not a proper sense of the power of the 
British court ; but we do think, that our charter privi- 
leges, and natural rights, as the freeborn sons of Britain, 
are infringed upon by said stamp act. Our advice, 
instruction, and direction, therefore, to you is, that upon 
all proper occasions, you use and exercise your utmost 
endeavors and strongest efforts, in a modest, respectful, 
and becoming manner, to prevent said act from taking 
place in the government; and that you, with a watchful 
eye upon every occasion, diligently guard and protect the 
liberties of your country, to the utmost of your power, 
against all encroachments and innovations whatsoever. 
Likewise, we desire you to frown upon every attempt for 
raising, by way of tax, any sum or sums of money, or 
consent to dispose of any already raised, without the 
consent of the people, upon any pretence whatsoever, 
except for defraying the necessary expenses of govern- 
ment. Also, we would signify, through you, our dislike 
of the late act of violence used in the town of Boston, 
and every other act of rage committed against any parti- 
cular person, or private property, anywhere within this 
his majesty's most loyal and dutiful province of Massa- 
chusetts Bay. Finally, your constituents expect, that on 
all occasions you will view their interest as closely con- 
nected with your own, and at all times endeavor to 
promote it, and also the interest of the province 
generally. 

" By order of the Committee, 

"John Longley." 



374 SHIRLEY. 

The next document on record, relative to British op- 
pression, is the proceedings upon the circular from the 
committee of correspondence of Boston. 

"January 11, 1773. Having received from the metro- 
polis of this province their votes and proceedings at their 
late town meeting, and having taken the same into con- 
sideration, we are of the opinion, that our rights are 
properly stated by their committee, and that they are in- 
fringed in those instances mentioned by them. And we 
are fully persuaded, that if the judges of the superior 
court of this province have their salaries from the king, 
from whose substitutes their appointment originates, and 
without whose consent (let them hold the scales of justice 
ever so uneven) they cannot be removed, that our liber- 
ties are greatly infringed thereby, and that we shall have 
no better chance for justice, no better security of life 
and property, than the people have in the most despotic 
government under heaven. 

" We, therefore, with due deference to the opinion of our 
fellow electors, do express to our representative our desire, 
that he use his utmost influence that the judges of the 
superior court of this province be placed upon a consti- 
tutional basis, and their salaries be raised to such a sum 
as will support them in a manner suitable to their dignity. 
And we would further say, that it is our fixed determina- 
tion to join with the people throughout the colonies, and 
of this province in particular, manfully and constitu- 
tionally to oppose every stride of despotism and tyranny, 
and that we will not set down easy and contented until 
our rights and liberties are restored, and we enjoy them as 
at the beginning." 

Copies of this were sent to the committee of correspon- 
dence at Boston, and to the representative in the General 
Court. 

After the act laying a duty on tea had passed and 



DUTY ON TEA. 375 

had arrived in this country, the inhabitants of the district 
passed the following votes : 

" Voted, That we will neither buy nor sell, drink nor 
suffer to be drunk in our families, any tea, that is subject 
to an American duty. 

" That we will stand ready to unite with our brethren 
through the colonies in every proper measure to retrieve 
our liberties, and to establish them upon such a firm basis, 
that it will be out of the power at least of our present 
enemies to wrest them out of our hands. 

" That the thanks of this district be and hereby are 
given to the town of Boston, and to the towns in that 
vicinity, for every rational and proper measure they have 
pursued in order to prevent our inestimable rights and 
privileges being torn from us by the artifice and cunning 
of our enemies, who are endeavoring to rob us of the 
fruit of our honest industry, that they may riot in idleness 
and luxury themselves." 

A copy of these votes was sent to the committee of 
correspondence. 

On the "Boston Port Bill," the following action was 
had: 

" At a town meeting holden January 18, 1775, it was 
voted, that we make some provisions for the suffering 
poor, in Boston and Charlestown, on account of the Bos- 
ton port bill, so called, and that the same be done by 
subscription. Francis Harris, John Ivory and Obadiah 
Sawtell were chosen a committee to receive the donations 
for said poor. And ordered said committee to forward 
the same to Boston or Charlestown." At the same meet- 
ing it was voted, that the tax for the support of his 
majesty's Government should be withheld. 

Upon the promulgation of the Articles of Association 
by the "Grand American Continental Congress, held at 
Philadelphia," the following paper was drawn up for sig- 
natures : 



376 SHIRLEY. 

" We, the subscribers, having seen the Association 
drawn up by the Grand American Continental Congress, 
respecting the non-importation, non-consumption and 
non-exportation of goods, &c., signed by the delegates of 
this and the other colonies of this continent, and having 
attentively considered the same, do hereby approve there- 
of, and of every part of it ; and in order to make the same 
association our own personal act, do by these presents, 
under the sacred ties of virtue, honor, and the love of our 
country, solemnly agree and associate, fully and com- 
pletely, to observe and keep all and every article and 
clause in said association contained, with respect to ex- 
portation, importation and non-consumption, according to 
the true interest, meaning and letter of our said delegates, 
and will duly inform and give notice of every exception 
and contravention of said agreement, as far as we are able, 
and that we will, as far as we can, encourage and promote 
a general union herein. 

" As witness our hands this 10th day of January, 
1775." 

This document was accepted, and a committee was 
chosen to present it to the inhabitants for their signatures, 
and it is presumed every man of lawful age in the town 
signed it, as they were always unanimous in their meas- 
ures to promote the cause of liberty. 

Not long after the last date, the conflict with words, 
votes and resolves, yielded to that of swords, guns and 
bayonets. And in the long and perilous contest, which 
gained our independence, the little town of Shirley, was 
not deficient in furnishing her full quota of men and 
equipments. The 19th of April, 1775, called every man 
old enough to bear arms, (except seven, who were inevi- 
tably hindered,) to Concord, Lexington and Cambridge. 
Twenty of the most efficient men of the town, became 
permanent officers or soldiers in the continental army, and 
others rendered occasional service as militia men. 



CHAPTER XXII. 

Schools — First School — But one School for a time — Six Districts — 
Those who have entered College. 

It is uncertain whether any school was kept in the 
territory of Shirley previous to its separation from 
Groton. The first record in relation to schools is under 
date of May 30, 1757, when it was voted to have a 
school three months, to begin in August or September. 
For many years there was but one school in the district, 
and that is said to have been kept at the house of Jonas 
Longley, now owned by Andrew J. Reed. As popula- 
tion and wealth have increased, schools have been multi- 
plied, and convenient school-houses erected, so that the 
accommodations for common school education is at least 
on a par with other towns of its size and population. 

The town is divided into six school districts, exclusive 
of the United Believers, or Shakers, who manage their 
own school. Each district is provided with a convenient 
school-house, one on a new and improved plan ; seven or 
eight hundred dollars are annually raised for the support 
of schools, affording each district about three months' 
schooling in winter, and the same in summer. 

Since 1843, the whole management of the schools has 
been under the direction of the town, which has placed the 
districts more on a state of equality than formerly, when 
48 



378 



SHIRL,EY. 



each district managed and paid for its own house and 
schooling. 

The following persons are known to have entered col- 
lege from Shirley, viz., Nicholas Bowes Whitney, John 
Dwight, Daniel Parker, Leonard M. Parker, Rufus Long- 
ley, John Spalding, James O. Parker, John Dwight, 
Thomas Edwin Whitney and John Edgarton. 



CHAPTER XXIII. 

Soil — Productions — Streams of Water — Manufactures — Provision for 

Paupers. 

Shirley contains a variety of soil, common to this part 
of the country. Moderately elevated hills, vales, inter- 
vales, plains, and bog or peat meadows are interspersed, 
all under proper cultivation, capable of yielding abundant 
harvests to reward the laborer's toil. A large portion of 
the inhabitants subsist by industriously availing them- 
selves of these natural advantages. Indian corn, rye, bar- 
ley, oats, potatoes, hops, hay and garden vegetables are 
the common products of the farms. 

Streams of water and eligible sites for mills, of various 
kinds, abound in Shirley. Nashua river lies partly in the 
territory, and forms the easterly boundary of the town for 
a considerable distance. Squannacook river forms the 
northeastern boundary of the town from Townsend line 
to its junction with the Nashua. Mulpus brook, (said to 
have had its name from a Frenchman in Lunenburg by 
the name of Mulipus, ) rises in Lunenburg and flows into 
the Nashua, a little above the mouth of the Squannacook. 
Catacoonamug brook, or river, rises also in Lunenburg, 
consisting of two small streams, which unite in the south 
part of Shirley, and it falls into the Nashua near the 
southeast corner of the town. 

On the Nashua river, within the bounds of Shirley, 



380 SHIRLEY. 

there is but one mill seat. This has long been occupied 
by a grist-mill, saw-mill, and paper-mill. Having in no 
season any lack of water, and the Fitchburg railroad 
passing by its side, this is a valuable privilege, capable of 
much enlargement in business ; owned and improved at 
present by Mr. Eli Page. 

The Squannacook being the boundary line between 
Shirley and Groton, has several valuable mill sites ; but 
hitherto the improvements of them have been upon the 
Groton side. 

Mulpus, to within about half a mile of its mouth, is 
comparatively a dead stream, aflfording no advantages for 
mills ; thence is a continued fall to the Nashua, interrupted 
only by the many dams erected to make use of the water 
in its descent. First, it drives the wheels of the carding- 
manufactory and fulling-mill of Mr. James Wilson ; next, 
the saw-mill, shingle-mill, bark-mill, and grist-mill, of 
Mr. Jonathan Kilburn ; then, the waggon and wheel 
works of Harvey, Woods & Co. ; and, lastly, another 
saw-mill, now owned by Mr. Jonathan Kilburn. 

But on the Catacoonamug, in the south part of the town, 
are by far the most extensive and most valuable manu- 
facturing establishments. First, a waterfall, in the 
northerly branch, near the line of Lunenburg, occupied 
by a saw-mill and shingle-mill, and preparations for a 
paper-mill are being made, is owned by Mr. Samuel 
Hazen. A similar privilege on the southerly branch, just 
above the union of the two, is occupied by a cotton 
factory, owned by Mr. Hiram Longley. Another privi- 
lege, just below the junction of the two branches, had, 
a few years since, a batting-mill thereon, which has been 
destroyed by fire. Below this stands a paper-mill, 
wherein paper is manufactured with great rapidity, under 
the modern improvements in that branch of manufacture. 
Farther down stream are a saw-mill and grist-mill, owned 
by Mr. Thomas Hazen ; a cotton factory, with 864 



MANUFACTURES POOR FARM. 381 

spindles, owned by Mr. John Smith, of Barre. Still 
lower down is the Fredonia manufactory, of 1,500 spin- 
dles, owned by Major Israel Longley &> Co., where are 
made 400,000 yards of cloth annually. 

As the Fitchburg railroad passes directly through this 
already flourishing village, oflering a passage of only 
about two hours to Boston, three times a-day, it seems to 
promise to be a permanent place of much business. 

Shirley, as most other towns have done, has provided 
a farm and comfortable buildings, at which to support 
such as are unable to provide for themselves the neces- 
saries of life. Until 1837, paupers were distributed 
amongst such inhabitants as would provide for them at 
the lowest rate ; a practice in many other towns. In 
that year, the town purchased a farm stock and farming 
tools, at an expense of about $3,700, at which this unfor- 
tunate class of persons have since been comfortably fed, 
clothed, and lodged. 



APPENDIX 



HISTORY OF GROTON 



The following family lists of marriages, births, and deaths, 
are compiled from the records in the clerk's office in Middlesex 
county, the first two books of records in Groton, with some addi- 
tions from private sources, where correctness could be relied 
upon. It is not pretended that the lists are complete, or any 
wise nearly so. Many families are undoubtedly wholly omitted, 
and omissions are more or less frequent in families which micrht 
seem to be complete. The marriages are more nearly complete 
than the births ; and the births, than the deaths ; and yet there 
are no marriages found on record from 1686 to 1706, except a 
few from Middlesex records, about 1690. 

Great care has been taken to put the dates precisely as they 
stand in the records. There are a few apparent inconsistencies 
in them, and probably some mistakes will be made, owing to the 
change of style in 1752. The inquirer may consult that part 
of the Preface relating to the change of style, for the best means 
to avoid error in this particular. 

The object of the compiler in giving this long Appendix is 
twofold ; to assist the genealogist, or any one wishing to trace 
his ancestry ; and to preserve the records of the town. The first 
two volumes of the town records, from which these lists are 
principally made, are so torn and shattered, that the lapse of a 
few years more would place them beyond the possibility of being 
copied. A volume of this publication may chance to be pre- 
served till after the original manuscripts shall be no more. And 



384 



GROTON. 



the searcher in genealogy can now find, in a few moments, in 
this alphabetical arrangement, what would require hours of toil 
to obtain from mutilated leaves of old records. 



Jonathan Adams and Submit 
Farwell. 

(Married, April 30, 1752.) 
Submit, born June 3, 1753. 
Alice, " Jan. 19, 1756. 
Jonathan, « March 5, 1759. 

Amos Adams and Sarah. 
Amos, born Jan. 9, 1768. 
Sarah, " April 20, 1770. 
William, " Sept. 13, 1772. 
Molly, " Feb. 25, 1775. 
Alice, « Aug. 29, 1777. 
Emma, " Feb. 2, 1780. 

Robert Aiken and Anna. 
Ebenezer, born March 2, 1733. 

John Ames, died July 9, 1724. 

John Ames and Elizabeth. 
John, born May 6, 1725. 
Jacob, " Oct. 26, 172^ 
Elizabeth, " Aug. 18, 1728. 
Sarah, " Feb. 15, 1731. 
Hannah, " March 17, 1732. 
Mary, " March 1, 1733. 
Eleazer, " April 3, 1736. 
Simon, " July 20, 1737. 
Priscilla, " April 24, 1739. 
Samuel, " March 20, 1743-4. 

John Ames, died July 30, 1743. 
( Qu. Father, or son ?) 

Stephen Ames and Jane Rob- 
bins. 
(Married, April 14., 1731.) 
Jane, born Dec. 6, 1733. 
Hannah, " April 28, 1736. 
Stephen," March 4,1738-9. 

Jacob Ames and Ruth Shattuck. 

(Married, Nov. 14, 1727.) 

Jacob, born Dec. 12, 1728. 
Samuel, " Feb. 11, 1731-2. 
Ruth, " April, 23, 1735. 



James, born March 21, 1739. 

Elijah, " March 27, 1741. 

Jonathan, " July 5, 1743. 

John, " May 15, 1746. 

Elizabeth, " June 13, 1749. 

David, « Oct. 7, 1752. 

Jacob Ames, Jr., and Olive. 
Olive, born Nov. 4, 1750. 
Levi, » May 1, 1752. 
Jacob, " Feb. 8, 1754. 

John Ames and Susanna Nut- 
ting. 

(Married, May 6, 1756.) 



John, 
Susanna, 

Eleazer, 

Susanna, 

Joseph, 

Ephraim, 

Benjamin, 



Elizabeth, 

Abel, 

Ephraim, 



born Aug. 23, 1756. 
« April 20, 1758, 

[died May 18, 1758. 
" April 16, 1759. 
" May 14, 1761. 
" March 17, 1764. 

I " July 9, 1766, 

^ [died July 23, 1766. 
[ " July 11, " 
Aug. 13, 1768. 
Nov. 15, 1770. 
March 3, J 773. 
[died May 3, 1774. 



Amos Ames* and Abigail Bulk- 
ley. 
(Married, Oct. 27, 1757 ) 
Amos, born April 15, 1758. 
Moses, " Nov, 14, 1759, 

[died May 23, 1783. 
Simeon, « Sept. 25, 1761, 

[died Sept. 25, 1784. 
Abigail, " Nov. 28, 1763. 
Eli, " May 4, 1765. 

Peter, " Nov. 7, 1767. 
Hannah, " Jan. 30, 1770. 
Bulkley, " July 20, 1772. 
Abel, « Sept. 3, 1774, 

[died Aug. 14, 1775. 
Betsey-Bulkley, born Dec. 10,1776. 
* Died, Aug. 4, 1817, set. 83. 



APPENDIX. 



385 



Robert Ames and SarahWoods. 

(Married, Dec. 2, 1762.) 
Robert, born Oct. 12, 1763. 
Sarah, " May 27, 1765. 
Prudence, « Dec. 29, 1767. 
Bethiah, " Nov. 31,* 1770. 
Molly, « Dec. 5, 1772. 
Abel, « May 7, 1778. 

Samuel, " Dec. 9, 1781. 
Molly, " Feb. 23, 1786. 

* Error in the record. 

John Archibald and Catharine. 

John, born Sept 2, 1740. 
Thomas, « Sept. 2, 1742, 

[died May 28, 1751. 
David, " Nov. 14, 1743. 
William, « May 7, 1749, 

[died Sept. 8, 1757. 
Rebekah, " Oct. 3, 1750. 
Mary, " Jan. 9, 1753. 

David Archibald and Hannah. 

Edmund, born March 12, 1770. 

[died Aug. 14, 1772. 
William, " March 30, 1772. 
Edmund, " Dec. 17, 1774. 
Molly, " July 26, 1777. 
Asa, " March 16, 1780. [d. 

Asa, " Sept. 16, 1784, at 

Ashby. 

Thomas Baker and 

Marcy, born Aug. 22, 1769. 
Thomas, " Sept. 28, 1771. 
Bulah, " Aug. 29, 1774. 

Jeremiah Ball and Mart. 

Ebenezer, born June 22, 1729, at 
North Town. 

Capt. Benjamin Bancroft* and 
Anna Lawrence.! 

Benjamin, born Sept. 29, 1724, at 

Charlestown. 

Edmund, " Nov. 23, 1726, do. 

Anna, " Dec. 20, 1728, at 

Groton ; d.Nov.l806. 

49 



Mary, born April 4, 1731, 

[died Dec. 1, 1732. 
Joseph, " Sept. 5, 1733, 

[died Nov. 24, 1737. 
Mary, " Feb. 6, 1735, 

[died Nov. 25, 1737. 
Joseph, « Aug. 1, 1738, 

[died Nov. 2, 1745. 
Sarah, " Nov. 2, 1740, 

[died Nov. 2, 1745. 
Jonathan, " Jan. 27, 1743, 

[died Oct. 26, 1745. 

"■ Died, April 3, 1790, set. 88. 
t Died, July 21, 1787, set. 86. 

Dea. Benjamin Bancroft, Jr.* 
and Alice Tarbell.! 
(Married, Oct 18, 174-9.) 
Benjamin, born Aug. 7, 1750. 
Abel, " May 28, 1752. 

Thaddeus, " April 12, 1754. 
William, " May 2, 1756. 
Joseph, " July 3, 1760. 
Samuel, " July 6, 1764. 
Sarah, " July 29, 1767. 

John, " Jan. 28, 1771. 

* Died, Oct. 27, 1804, set. 80. 
t Died, Nov. 29,1781. 

Edmond Bancroft* and Eliza- 
beth Atherton, Rachel H. 
Barron. 

(Married, Dec 30. 1747.) 
Edmund, born Sept. 22, 1748, 

[died June 25, 1777. 
Joseph, " April 13, 1750, 

[died Sept. 17,1766. 
Mary, " Nov. 14, 1752, 

[died Oct. 17,1755. 
Maria, " April 17, 1755, 

[died Oct. 17, 1755. 
Anna, " Feb. 8, 1758 ; of 
Rachel. 
Jonathan, " Jan. 5, 1761. 
Joseph, » Jan. 7, 1763. 
Thomas, " Oct. 26, 1764, 

[died 1847. 
Amos, " May 23, 1767. 
Rachel, " March21, 1769. 
Luther, " April 30, 1771. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 21, 1773. 

* Died, Jan. 3, 1784. 



386 



GROTON. 



Reuben Barrett .and Sarah. 
Reuben, born Sept. 15, 1751. 

Joseph Barns and Sarah. 
Mary, born April 21, 1754, 

[died April 21, 1754. 
Molly, " April 9, 1755. 
Amos, " Jan. 9, 1757. 

Nathaniel Barrett and Abi- 
gail. 
Reuben, born May 16, 1750. 
Isaac, " Aug. 16, 1752. 

Ellis or Elias Barron and 

Anna.* 

Grace, born July 29, 1665. 
Mehitabel, " June 22, 1668. 
Timothy, " April 18, 1673. 
Dorothy, " 6 d. 1 m. 1674. 

* Died, 3d. 11m. IG74, ael. 37. 

Stephen Barron and Sybil 

Parker. 

(Married, April 17. 1734-5.) 

Silas-Parker, born Sept. 17, 1736. 

Silas Barron and Rebekah 
Parker. 

(Married, June 4, 1760.) 
Samuel, born Aug. 19, 1764. 
Benjamin, " Jan. 25, 1768. 
Sybil, " June 29, 1771. 

John Barron* and 

John, born April 4, 1665. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 28, 1677. 
Moses, " March 26, 1669. 

g!'«' «>• I " June 14, 1672. 
Elias, ^ 

* Died, Jan. 1, 1693. 

Nicholas Bartlett* and Mart, 
Elizabeth, Mart. 

Mary, born Sept. 13, 1734. 
John, " June 15, 1736. 
Samuel, " Nov. 17, 1737, 

[died Dec. 10, 1737. 
Elizabeth," Oct. 6, 1738. 
Samuel, " July 24, 1740. 



Thomas, born March 22, 1742. 
Sarah, " Sept. 14, 1743. 

» Died, March 16, 1743-4. 

Samuel Bartlett and Anna. 

Lucy, born March 29, 1776. 
Benjamin, " June 29, 1778. 

James Bennett and Hannah. 

James, born Feb. 19, 1704. 
Josiah, " Feb. 22, 1706. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 12, 1708. 

George Bennett and Mart. 
{Married, Dec. 20, 1701 ) 
Lydia, born Sept. 29, 1706. 



Moses 


Bennett 


and 


Ann 




Blanchard. 




(Married 


, Aug. 11, 17 


9.) 


Abigail, 


born Auor. 


31, 


1720. 


Stephen, 


(( 


Oct. 


16, 


1723. 


Moses, 


(I 


Aug. 


15, 


1726. 


David, 


u 


May 


15, 


1729. 


Eunice, 


l( 


March 27, 


1731. 


Jonathan 


(( 


May 


17, 


1733. 


James, 


u 


Dec. 


5, 


1736. 


Anna, 


(( 


Nov. 


8, 


1739. 



Benjamin Bennett * and Mart 
Lakin. f 

(Married, March 27, 1723.) 

Benjamin, born Jan. 29, 1723-4. 
Joseph, " Dec. 15, 1725. 
Aaron, " Aug. 24, 1728, 

[died Nov. 2, 1728. 
Mary, " Oct. 14, 1729. 

Abigail, " Dec. 3, 1731. 
Bathsheba, « March 31, 1736, 

[died July 7, 1736. 
Esther, « June 24, 1737. 

* Died, Sept. 25, 1757. 
t Died, Oct. 15, 1761. 

Benjamin Bennett, Jr. and 
Sarah Lakin. 

(Married,Jau. 8, 1746.) 

Samuel, born Feb. 27, 1748. 



APPENDIX. 



387 



Moses Bennett and Sarah 
Blood. 

(Married, Feb. 17, 1746.) 

Stephen, born April 22, 1747. 
Moses, « March 18, 1748. 
John, " July 1, 1751. 

Sarah, « Nov. 17, 1752. 

William Bennett and Mary,* 

SARAH.f 

William, born Aug. 23, 1742. 
Lemuel, « Oct. 26, 1745. 

* Died, July 7. 1753. 
t Died, Sept. 23, 1736. 

Stephen Bennett and Eliza- 
beth. 
John, born Feb. 25, 1775. 

Thomas Bennett and Ltdia. 

Anna, born Aug. 9, 1765. 
Naomi, " Aug. 27, 1767. 
Thomas, " Sept. 11, 1769. 
William, " May 16, 1772. 
Imla, " Oct. 5, 1774, at 

Shirley. 
Phinehas," June 13, 1777. 

John Blair and Agnes. 

Esther, born J'eb. 26, 1746. 

[died April 26, 1751. 
Mary, " March 4, 1748. 
William, " May 21, 1751. 

James Blanchard and Anna.* 

Elizabeth, born June 25, 1694. 
Josiah, " June 24, 1698. 

Anna, " March 11, 1701. 

Eunice, " Feb. 8, 1702. 
[died April 3, 1710. 

* Died, Feb. !J, 1704. 

Jacob Blanchard and Rebecca. 

Jacob, born Feb. 15, 1753, at 

[Hollis ; died Dec. 21, 1769. 
Rebecca, " Feb. 22, 1756. 
Lucy, " Dec. 15, 1757. 

Nathaniel, " May 29, 1760. 
Lucy, " April 29, 1762. 



Samuel Blodget and Sarah 
Spencer. 
(Married, Dec. 6, 1744.) 
Samuel, born Aug. 17, 174-. 
John, " May 20, 174-. 
Thomas, " March 19, 175-. 

Nathaniel Blodget and Mart. 

Abraham, born Jan. 16, 1746. 
Isaac, " Feb. 26, 1748. 

Richard Blood * and Isabel. 
Mary, born — ; d. Apl. 19, 1662. 
James, " — ; killed by Ind's. 
Nathaniel, " — . 

* Died, 7 d. 10 m. 1683. 

James Blood * and Elizabeth 
Longley, Abigail. 
(Married, Sept. 7, 1669.) 
Richard, born May 29, 1670, 

[died July 8, 1670. 
Mary, " Sept. 1, 1672. 
Elizabeth, " 27 d. 2 m. 1675. 

Hannah, ; died 6d. 11m. 1675. 

.James, born Aug. 12, 1687, of Ab- 
igail. 
John, " March 16, 1689. 
Martha, " Oct. 20, 1692. 

* Killed by Indians. 

Nathaniel Blood and Anna or 
Hannah Parker.* 

Anna, born March 1, 1671. 

Elizabeth, " Oct. 7, 1678. 

[Married Samuel Shattuck. 

Sarah, born 17d. 2m. 1675. 

Mary, " April 17, 1678. 

Nathaniel, " Jan. 16, 1679. 

Joseph, " Feb. 3, 1681. 

* Died, Jan. 14, 1728, eet. 82. 

Joseph Blood and Hannah. 
Mary, born Aug. 23, 1708. 
Hepzibah, " June 26, 1711. 

Nathaniel Blood and Hannah. 

William, born Dec. 13, 1711. 
Nathaniel, " May 9, 1714. 
Jonathan, « Sept. 5, 1717. 



388 



GROTON. 



Benjamin, born Aug, 22, 1719. 



Anna, 

Sarah, 

Daniel, 

Mary, 

Shattuck, 



Feb. 
Jan. 
Aug. 
Jan. 

Nov. 



5, 1721 
29, 1724. 

5, 1727. 
28, 1729-30. 
21, 1733. 



James Blood and Catharine. 



James, born 
Sarah, " 
Elizabeth, " 
Solomon, " 
Simeon, " 
Silas, " 
Lois, " 

Simon, " 
Sampson, " 
Eunice, " 



Oct. 

Jan. 

March 

March 

Sept. 

Sept. 

Aug. 

Aug. 

Oct. 

June 



26, 1714. 
20, 1716-17. 
22, 1718-19. 
13, 1720-21. 

15, 1722. 
8, 1725. 

25, 1727. 
4, 1729. 

16, 1731. 
22, 1735. 



John Blood and Joanna Nut- 
ting. 

(Married, July 13, 1712.) ' 

John, born Feb. 18, 1713-14. 

Elizabeth, " March 19, 1715-16. 

David, " Sept. 28, 1718. 

Lydia, " Sept. 28, 1720. 

William, " Dec. 9, 1722. 

Moses, " Nov. 25, 1724. 

Hannah, " July 7, 1727. 

Oliver, " July 9, 1729. 

Caleb, " Nov. 23, 1734. 

Ebengzer Blood and Abigail. 



Abigail, born 
Sarah, 
Dorcas, " 
Mary, " 
Ebenezer " 
Thomas, " 
Robert, " 
Hannah, " 
Elizabeth, " 

Elizabeth, " 
Susanna, " 

Aaron, " 
Josiah, " 
Eleazer, " 



May 21, 1721. 
Aug. 21, 1722. 
Jan. 18, 1724. 
Sept. 9, 1725. 
June 30, 1727. 
Dec. 17, 1728. 
Feb. 16, 1730. 
Sept. 15, 1732. 
Sept. 3, 1734, 

[died Jan. 1, 1735. 
March 2, 1735-6. 
March 3, 1737. 
[died July 26, 1738. 
Oct. 26, 1739. 
June 2, 1742. 
July 16, 1744. 



Robert Blood and Sarah. 
Robert, bom Dec. 26, 1733. 



William Blood and Martha 
Lawrence, Luct Fletcher. 

(Married Lucy, Jan. 5, 1740.) 

Martha, born Jan. 25, 1736; mar- 
i ried John Nutting. 
William, " Aug. 13, 1748, of 

Lucy. 
Lucy, " Aug. 15, 1750. 

James Blood, Jr. and Mart 

GiLSON. 

(Married, Feb. 4, 1741-2.) 

James, born Sept. 23, 1742. 
Levi, « March 27, 1744. 
Mary, " Aug. 6, 1746. 
Lucy, " Jan. 25, 1749. 
Sybil, « Feb. 15, 1751. 

John Blood, Jr. and Abigail 
Parker. 



John, 



Abigail, 
Abigail, 
Nehemiah, " 

Eunice, " 

Sarah, « 

John, " 

Edmund, " 



(Married, Dee. 8, 1741.) 
born Sept. 25, 1742. 



Feb. 3, 1744. 
Oct 2, 1745. 
Nov. 18, 1747. 
May 4, 1753. 
Aug. 7, 1758. 
April 15, 1761, at 

Pepperell. 
July 26, 1764, do. 



Benjamin Blood and Eunice. 



Eunice, born July 
Benjamin, " July 
Edmund, 



Deborah, 
Joshua, 
Rachel, 
Ann, 



9, 1747. 
1, 1749. 
16, 1751. 
1, 1753. 
26, 1756. 
April 13, 1758. 
Nov. 29, 1760. 



June 
Oct. 
Jan. 



James Blood, Jr. and Eliza- 
beth Jewett,* Marct Shat- 
tuck. 

(Married E., Jan. 12, 1769; M., Dec. 27, 
1774.) 

Eber, born Dec. 31, 1769. 
Ascenath, " Sept. 20, 1776. 
Talmai, " March 7, 1778. 

* Died, April 9, 1773. 



APPENDIX. 



389 



Joseph Blood, Jr.* and Han- 
nah BLoor.f 

(Married, Sept. 9, 1742.) 
Joseph, born July 29, 1743, 

[killed at Bunker Hill. 
Hannah, " June 30, 1746. 
Lemuel, " Nov. 30, 1749. 
Hepzibah, " April 8, 1751, 

[married Ben. Jaquith 
and Ebenezer Ball ; 
died Nov. 4, 1823. 
Mary, " Sept. 12, 1754. 
Royal, " Oct. 8, 1758. 
Henry, « July 4, 1761. 
Lucy, « May 20, 1763. 
William, « Feb. 14, 1765. 

* Died, Jan. 5, . 

t Died, March 25, 1796. 

Oliver Blood and Sarah 
Darling.* 
(Married, Nov. 8, 1751.) 
Oliver, born Oct. 31, 1752. 
Sarah, « Oct. 9, 1754. 
Lydia, « March 31, 1756. 
John, « Nov. 10, 1759. 
Annis, " Nov. 6, 1762. 
Jonathan," March 31, 1765, 

[died 1846. 

* Died, Oct. 1812, set. 85. 

Simon Blood and Anna Shat- 

TUCK. 

(Married, Feb. 1,1753.) 

Catharine, born Oct. 27, 1753, 

[married Edmund Blood. 
Anna, " Feb. 25, 1756. 

Rachel, " Aug. 17, 1758. 
Elizabeth, " July 14, 1762. 
Eunice, " Feb. 25, 1766. 

Caleb Blood and Hannah Hol- 
DEN,* Elizabeth Farnsworth. 

(Married H., Nov. 1,1753; E., March 
3, 1774.) 

Caleb, born Oct. 24, 1755. 



Hannah, 
John, 
David, } 
Samuel, ^ 
Timothy, 



Sept. 23, 1757. 
Sept. 6, 1759, 

July 8, 1762. 

March 18, 1775, 
[died Jan. 13, 1777. 



Thomas, born Aug. 31, 1776. 

Timothy, " Sept. 8, 1778. 

Elizabeth, « Aug. 25, 1780. 

Levi, " Sept. 14, 1782. 

[died Sept. 29, 1782. 

Sally, " Aug. 31, 1783. 

Luther, " Oct. 1, 1785. 

Nancy, " May 27, 1791. 

* Died Sept. 1, 1773. Hspc femina, 
prseter quinque, quos vivos ediderat, du- 
odecim caeteros prsemature exnixa, teriium 
decimum parturiens, expiravit. Obsletrix 
ita dixit. 

Samuel Bowers and Esther. 

Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1710. 

Samuel, " Dec. 21, 171L 

Esther, " Oct. 15, 1715. 

Jerahmael, " Aug. 11, 1717. 

Nehemiah, « Sept. J4, 1719. 

Joshua, " July 9, 1721. 

Hannah, « Jan. 23, 1722-3. 

Samuel Bowers, Jr. and Debo- 
rah Farnsworrh. 

(Married, March 19, 1734-5.) 

Samuel, born Dec. 6, 1735. 
Jonas, " Jan. 31, 1737. 
Isaac, « June 26, 1741. 
Phinehas, " Sept. 31, 1743, 

[died Sept. 12, 1745. 
Deborah, " Sept. 2, 1746. 
Phinehas, « Oct. 2, 1750, 

[died July 27, 1767. 

Nathaniel Bowers and Eliza- 
beth Blood. 

(Married, Feb. 8, 1742-3.) 

Nathaniel, born Nov. 27, 1743. 
Nathaniel, " Nov. 15, 1746. 
John, " Sept. 3, 1749. 

James, " March 10, 1751. 

Nehemiah Bowers and Sarah. 

James, born July 16, 1746. 
Jonathan, " Oct. 24, 1748, at Lu- 
nenburg; died Feb. 2, 1749. 
Sarah, " Jan. 25, 1749,* at Lu- 
nenburg. 
* Error in the record. 



390 



GROTON. 



JosHCA Bowers and Sarah 
Farnsworth. 

(Married, April Sf), 1749.) 

Molly, born Feb. 19, 1751. 
Sarah, " June 25, 1752. 
Joshua, " Nov. 17, 1755. 

Samuel Bowers * and Abigail 
Warren. 

(Married, May 8, 1759.) 

Deborah, born June 27, 1761. 
Samuel, " Sept. 17, 1764. 

* Died, Aug. 30, 1764. 

Isaac Bowers and Priscilla 
Dodge. 

(Married, March 23, 1762.) 



Sybil, born, 
Isaac, " 
John, » 

Benjamin, " 
Priscilla, " 
Mary, " 

Sarah, « 

Phinehas, " 
Jonas, " 
Samuel, " 
Joseph, " 
Oliver, " 



May 7, 1762. 
Jan. 20, 1764. 
Feb. 25, 1765. 
Oct. 27, 1766. 
July 10, 1768. 
Jan. 5, 1770, 
[died Sept. 21, 1775. 
Aug. 22, 1771, 
[died Sept. 23, 1775. 
Dec. 15, 1772. 
July 12, 1774. 
Nov. 28, 1775. 
March 14, 1777. 
July 1, 1778. 



Thomas Botden* and 

John, born Dec. 6, 1672. 

* Died, Nov. 15, 1719. 

Joseph Boyden and Rebecca. 
Joseph, born Oct. 6, 1705. 

Jonathan Botden and Eliza- 
beth. 

Josiah, born Sept. 21, 1701. 
Jonathan, " Feb. 13, 1705-6. 
Elizabeth, " March 10, 1707. 
Lydia, " March 23, 1711. 
Martha, " June 15, 1715. 
Mary, " Jan. 1,1720. 



JosiAH Boyden and Eunice 
Parker,* Jane. 

(Married E., Jan. 17, 1729.) 
John, born Feb. 28, 1731. 



Eunice, " 


May 22, 1733. 


Josiah, " 


May 22, 1734. 


John, " 


Jan. 12, 1735. 


Mary, " 


Sept. 2, 1740. 


Jonathan, " 


Dec. 6, 1741. 


Samuel, " 


May 25, 1751, of Ja 


Sarah, " 


Nov. 14, 1752. 


Jane, " 


July 24, 1754. 



* Died, Jan. 1, 1745. 

Jonathan Boyden, Jr. and Mart. 
Jonathan, born April 8, 1736. 

Jonathan Botden and Eliza- 
beth Sawtell. 

(Married, Nov. 15, 1769.) 

William, born Aug. 26, 1770. 



Molly, " March 12, 


1772. 


Betty, " Jan 26, 


1774. 


Jonathan, " June 21, 


1776. 


Eunice, " May 25, 


1780. 


Samuel, " July 27, 


1782. 



Sarah Boynton wife of Joseph 
Boynton, died Feb. 27, 1718-19. 

Daniel Boynton and Jemima 

Brown. 

(Married, June 1, 1721.) 

Jane, born May 13, 1722. 
Moses, " April 10, 1724. 
Aaron, « Feb. 4, 1726. 
Samuel, " March 21, 1729. 

Abraham Boynton and Esther. 

Josiah, born June 4, 1743. 
Isaac, " Aug. 11, 1745. 
John, « July 23, 1748. 
Abraham, " Nov. 20, 1750. 

Rev. Dudley Bradstreet * and 
Mary Wain w right. 

(Married, May 4, 1704.) 
Simon, born March 7, 1705-6. 
Dudley, " March 12, 1707-8. 

* Died, 1714, in England. 



APPENDIX. 



391 



DuDiET Bradstreet and Abi- 
gail Lakin. 

(Married, April "28, 1727.) 

Abigail, born June 27, 1728. 
Mary, " Aug. 7, 1730. 
Ann, " May 18, 1735. 

Lucy, « April 8, 1738. 
Sarah, « Sept. 26, 1740. 
Hannah, » Aug. 13, 1743. 

Jonas Brooks and 

Dinah, born July 7, 1763. 

William Brown and Margaret. 

Elizabeth, born May 5, 1755. 
Mary, " April 22, 1757. 

William, j 
Ann, < 



Aug. 7, 1758. 



Col. John Bulklet and Abigail,* 
Mary. 

Elizabeth, born Aug. 25, 1734. 
John, " Feb. 12, 1736-7. 

John, " 1738. 

Peter, " May 9, 1740, 

[died May 10, 1765. 
John, " June 22, 1749, 

[died Dec. 16, 1774. 
Elizabeth, " Nov. 29, 1751. 

* Died, April 15, 1747 

John Burt and Elizabeth Nut- 
ting. 

(Married, May 9, 1725-6. 

James, born June 19, 1727. 
William, " Feb. 1, 1729. 
Sarah, " June 26, 1731. 
John, « Dec. 22, 1735. 
Elizabeth, « Sept. 13, 1737. 
Daniel, " Jan. 27, 1739-40. 

Phinehas Burt and Sarah Bush. 

(Married, Jan. 2, 1735-6.) 

Sarah, born Aug. 1, 1737. 
Phinehas, » Jan. 30, 1738. 
John, " Feb. 20, 1740. 
Elizabeth, " Jan. 20, 1743. 
Mary, " June 20, 1746. 
Simeon, « Feb. 5, 1748. 



John Bush and Ruth. 

Sarah, born Aug. 28, 1714. 
John, " June 4, 1717. 

Wiiu^m,!" Oct. 31,1719. 
Elizabeth, « Feb. 20, 1723-4. 

Eleazer Butterfield and 
Mary. 
Eleazer, born March 12, 1752. 

John Butterfield and Martha. 
Henry, born March 14, 1759. 

Abraham Byam, of Chelmsford. 
Mary-Fiske, born March 2, 1707-8. 

Daniel Cady and Mary, Abigail. 

Mary, born Aug. 10, 1684. 

Ezekiel, " Sept. 29, 1686. 

Rachel, " July 18, 1689. 

Daniel, " March 26, 1692. 

Jane, « April 1, 1696. 

Ezra, « Aug. 11,1699. 

Josiah, " Feb. 

Eunice, " Oct. 

Ephraim, " Feb. 



/, 1702. 
20, 1704.* 
19, 1704-5, 

of Abigail. 

* Error in the record. 



James Cady* and Hannah. 
Elizabeth, born April 10, 1606. 
* Died, Dec. 2, 1690. 

Joseph Cady and Sarah. 
Joseph, born Oct. 3, 1690. 
James, " Nov. 22, 1694. 
Isaac, " Jan. 17, 1696-7. 
Abigail, " June 22, 1699. 
Stephen, " June 16, 1701. 

John Cady and Joanna, Eliza- 
beth. 
Jonathan, born Jan. 22, 1693. 
Joanna, " Oct. 14, 1695. 
John, « Aug. 7, 1699, of 

Elizabeth. 
Elizabeth, " March 5, 1701. 



392 



GROTON. 



John Cadt and Martha. 

John, born Dec. 23, 1743. 
Elizabeth," July 21, 1745. 
Martha, " Feb. 27, 1748. 

Jonathan Capron and Alice. 

Thankful, born June 13, 1762. 
Rhoda, " June 12, 1764. 

Thomas Chamberlin and Eliz- 
abeth,* Abigail. 

Gershom, born 



Sarah, 

Elizabeth, 

Abigail, 
Thomas, 
Jane, 
Sarah, 



[died March 29, 1699. 
May 23, 1699. 
[died — 14, 1699. 
May 26, 1700, of 
Abigail. 
June 21, 1701. 
Feb. 3, 1703. 
Feb. 2,1705-6. 
Aug. 4,1709. 



* Died, June 13, 1699. 

Edmund Chamberlin and Abi- 
gail. 
Elizabeth, born Aug. 18, 1705. 

John Chamberlin and Abigail 
Woods. 
(Married, Oct. 13, 1713.) 
Elizabeth, born Oct. 27, 1713. 



Hannah, 

John, 

Sarah, 

Abigail, 

Thomas, 



Jan. 18, 1716. 

March 24, 1720. 

April 27, 1727. 

Jan. 8, 1732. 

Sept. 2, 1735. 



Samuel Chamberlin, of Chelms- 
ford. 
Anna-Gilson, born Mar. 7,1710-11. 

John Chamberlin, Jr. and Ra- 
chel Lawrence.* 
(Married, Dec. 3, 1745.) 
Rachel, born July 10, 1747, 

[died Oct. 13, 1756. 
Abigail, " Sept. 8, 1749. 
John, " Feb. 27, 1752. 
Ede, " Oct. 9, 1754. 

» Died, Oct. 6, 1756, set. 29. 



Phinehas Chamberlin and 
Lydia Williams. 

(Married, March 19, 1744-5.) 

Phinehas, born Jan. 9, 1745. 
Eleazer, " March 13, 1746. 
Joseph, " Oct. 13, 1748. 
Vid. Pepperell. 

Joseph Chandler and Sarah. 

Thomas, born Jan. 20, 1746. 
John, « May 29, 1749. 

Benjamin Chase and Rachel. 

Benjamin, born Oct. 1, 1741. 
Solomon, « Sept. 8, 1743. 



Ebenezer, 
John, 

John, 



June 4, 1745. 
Sept. 4, 1747, 
[died Oct. 1, 1749. 
Feb. 12, 1749. 



John Chenet and Susanna. 



John, born July 

Susanna, " May 

Molly, 

Luther, 

Tirza, 

Luther, 



29, 1763; 

27, 1765. 

13, 1767. 

2, 1770. 

March 17, 1773. 

July 7, 1775. 



Sept. 
April 



Moses Child and Sarah. 



Asa, born April 8, 
[died June 

Sally, « March 26, 
[died May 
April 4, 
June 



James, " 

Sarah, " 

Susanna, " 

Elisha, " 

Prudence, " 

Betty, " 

Isaac, " 

Anna, " 



Feb. 
Oct. 
Aug. 

Nov. 
July 
Sept. 



26, 

9, 

31, 

30, 

2, 

27, 
23, 



[died Oct. 



1759, 

16, 1759. 

1760, 

25, 1760. 

1762. 

1763. 

1766. 

1767. 

1769. 

1771. 

1774. 

1777, 

17, 1777. 



Cornelius Church * and Mart. 
(Married, June 4, 1670.) 
* Died, Dec. 2, 1697. 

Samuel Church and Elizabeth. 
Jonathan, born Feb. 12, 1786-7. 



APPENDIX. 



393 



William Colburn* and Anna. 

Anna, born March 19, 1773. 

* Died at Fort George, Oct. 26, 1776, 
set. 29 years. 

John Coles had a daughter, born 
Feb. 20, 1672; Hepzibah, probably. 

Jonathan Collier and Tabitha. 
Jonathan, born Jan. 17, 1775. 

JosiAH CoNANT and Rachel Ho- 

BART. 

(Married, May 12, 1748 ) 
Rachel, born March 29, 1749. 



Josiah, " Aug. 


31, 1750. 


Benjamin, " June 


27, 1752. 


Robert, " Nov. 


5, 1754. 


Shebuel, " Dec. 


23, 1756, at 




Pepperell 



Enoch Cook and Mart. 
Enoch, born Nov. 15, 1771. 
John, " April 16, 1774. 

Timothy Cooper and Sarah 
Morse. 

(M.-xrried, .Tune2, 1669 ) 
Timothy, born March 24, 1669-70. 
John, " March 5, 1671. 

[died April 28, 1672. 
Sarah, " March 20, 1672-3. 
John, " 5d. 3 m. 1675. 

John Craig and Meriam Fiske, 

Wid. 

(Married, Nov. 22, 17.53 ) 

David, son of John and Jemima 

Craig, born Sept. 3, 1754. 

Samuel Craig and Mary Conn. 

(Married, March 27, 1755.) 
John, born Jan. 11, 1756. 

Michael Crecy and Catharine 
Wetherbee, of Bolton. 
(Married. Dec 20, 1752) 
Elizabeth, born June 26, 1754. 
Jonathan, " June 15, 1756. 

50 



JonathanCrecy and AnnaDavis. 

(Married, July 21, 1759 ) 
Henry, born Feb. 11, 1760. 
Betty, " April 8, 1762. 
William, « Dec. 8, 1763. 
Dorcas, " July 15, 1766. 
Sarah, " May 8, 1768. 
Levi, " April 1, 1770. 

John Cummings and Elizabeth. 
Hannah, born May 20, 1690. 

Samuel Cummings and Eliza- 
beth. 
Samuel, born March 6, 1709. 
Jerahmael, " Oct. 10, 1711. 
James, " July 14, 1713. 

Samuel Cummings and Prudence 
Lawrence. 

(Married, July 18, 1732-3.) 
Mary,* born April 22, 1734. 
* Perhaps the same as next preceding. 

John Cummings and Sarah Law- 
rence, of Littleton. 
(Married Jan. 2, 1735-6 ) 
John, born March 16, 1736-7. 
Eleazer, " May 15,1739. 



Sarah, " Dec. 11, 


1741. 


Peter, " June 5, 


1744. 


Mitty, " Dec. 25, 


1751. 


Reuben, " Jan. 10, 


1757. 


Sybil, " March 15, 


1760. 



William Cummings and Lucy* 
Ebenezer, born April 17, 1735. 



Lucy, 




April 


18, 


17.37. 


Bridget, 




Sept. 


16, 


1739. 


William, 




Oct. 


2, 


1741. 


Elizabeth, 




Jan. 


11, 


1743-4 


Phillip, 




Nov. 


26, 


1745. 


Rebekah, 




May 


11, 


1748. 



Simon Daby and Mary.* 
Sarah, born Aug. 31, 1751. 

[died Sept. 31, 1751. 
Phebe, ; died Sept. 20,1751. 

* Died, Aug. 31, 1751. 



394 



GROTON. 



William Dalrtmple* and Eliz- 
abeth Blood. 

(Married, Nov. 4, 1746.) 

Rebckah, born March 30, 1747, 

[died Nov. 25, 1766, 
at Newbury port. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 1, 1748. 
Jtuiies, " May 26, 1750, 

[died Oct. 16, 1753. 
William, " Oct. 10, 1751. 
Sarah, " March 23, 1753. 

Abiirail, " May 2, 1755. 
James, " Jan. 8, 1758, 

[died Feb. 3, 1760. 
Mary, " Oct. 17,1759. 

Jane, » July 20, 1763. 

Anna, " April 30, 176.5. 

John, " April 11, 1767. 

* Died, May 1, HB":. 

Rev. Samuel Dana and Anna 
Kendrick. 

Luther, born Aug. 13, 1763. 
Amelia, " April 14, 1765. 
Samuel, " June 26, 1767. 
Thesta, " Au^. 14, 1769. 
Anna, « June 16, 1771. 

John Darby and Mart. 
Mary, born Jan. 3, 1705-6. 

Samuel Davis* and Mary. 

A daughter, born Jan. 31, 1662. 

John, " March 10, 1664, 

[died Oct. 25, 1704. 

Sarah, " 12 d. 6 m. 1667. 

Jan. 10, 1669. 



V Samuel, 
Barnabas, 

A daughter. 



April 17, 1672, 
[died Aug. 1790. 
10 d. 2 m. 1674. 



* Died, Dec. 28, 1699. 

John Davis and Mehitabel. 
Mehitabel, born June 22, 1693. 
Sarah, " Sept. 22, 1694. 

John, " May 6,1698. 

Abigail, " July 24,1699. 
Lydia, " March 10, 1704. 

Samuel Davis and Anna. 
Samuel, bom Aug. 16, 1694. 
Anna, " May 24, 1697. 



Mary, born May 20, 1699. 
Barnabas, " Dec. 19, 1700. 



Simon, 
Amos, " 

Experience, " 



Nov. 1, 1702. 
Oct 15, 1705. 
Nov. 23, 1707, at 
Chelmsford. 



Nathaniel Davis and Rose. 



Joanna, born 
Sarah, " 
Eleanor, " 
Martha, " 
Mary, " 

Nathaniel, " 
Zachariah, " 
Ezekiel, " 
Elizabeth, " 
Isaac, " 

Eleazer, " 



Jan. 

March 

Dec. 

June 

March 

March 

March 

Jan. 

Aug. 

May 

Aug. 



26, 1702. 

10, 1704. 
2, 1706. 
4, 1711, 
8, 1712. 

12, 1714-15. 

11, 1716-17. 
8, 1723. 

28, 1724. 

13, 1727. 
8, 1729. 



John Davis and Rebekah Burt. 

(Married, June 13, 1723.) 
John, bom Nov. 10, 1725. 



Zebudah, 


" April 11, 1728. 


Rebekah, 


" Oct. 29, 1729. 


Aaron, 


" April 11, 1732. 


Meriam, 


" May 10, 1734, 




[died Sept. 30, 1736. 


Ruth, 


" Feb. 1735-6, at 




Hartford. 


Ezra, 


" Aug. 23, 1738, do. 



Daniel Davis and Lydia Ames. 
(Married, March 21, 1726-7.) 

Eleazer Davis and Sarah, 
Eleazer, born Sept. 25, 1730. 



Benjamin Davis and 



Anna, born 
Benjamin, " 
Joseph, " 

Joshua, " 
David, " 
Sarah, " 
James, " 
Henry, " 
Elizabeth, " 

Eleazer, " 
Joseph, " 



Feb. 2, 

April 8, 
March 14, 
[died Feb. 
Aug. 30, 
Aug. 6, 
May 24, 
June 22, 
Oct. 11, 
March 10, 
[died Feb. 
Sept. 6, 
Sept. 27, 



1742. 
1744. 

1746, 

13, 1762. 

1748, 

1751. 

1754. 

1756. 

1758. 

1761, 

27, 1762. 

1763. 

1765. 



APPENDIX, 



395 



John Derbyshire and Mart. 

Oliver, born Dec. 8, 1708. 

James Dickerson* and Sarah. 
Samuel, born Aug. 11, 1752. 
* Died, July 5, 1754, cet. 38. 

Isaac Dodge and Elizabeth. 
Isaac, born Feb. 8, 1775. 
Samuel, « April 15, 1783. 

Daniel Douglass and Lydia 
La KIN. 

(iVIarried Aug. 5, 1740.) 
Daniel, born July 2, 1740, some 
mistake. 

John Dudley and Sybil Rus- 
sell, of Harvard. 
(Married, March 1, 1759.) 

Sybil, born Dec. 5, 1769. 
John, " Oct. 11, 1761. 

Elizabeth, " Nov. 30, 1763. 
Jason, " July 8, 1766. 

Hannah, " Nov. 13, 1768. 
Parker Russell, May 27, 1771. 
Molly, " Aug. 29, 1773, at 

Harvard. 
Francis, " Dec. 31, 1775, do. 
Lucy, " Nov. 14, 1781, do. 

John Dustin and Mary. 

Hannah, born April 15, 175-. 

Nathaniel " Dec. 28, 1751, 

Lydia, " Feb. 21, 1754. 

Sarah, " June 14, 1756. 

Lucy, « Jan. 1, 1758. 

Gardner Dustin and Rachel. 
John, born Nov. 19, 1762. 

Timothy Dustin and Eunice. 
Abel, born Nov. 27, 1773. 

Elias Elliot and Ruth Law- 
rence. 
(Married, Dec. 18, 1729.) 
William, born July 22, 1730. 
Rachel, " Aug. 10, 1732. 



Oliver, born Aug. 24, 1734. 
Jeremiah, " May 22, 1737. 
Abigail, " March 16, 1740. 
Elizabeth, " July 4, 1743. 

Rev. Joseph Emerson and Abi- 
gail. 
Mary, born Oct, 19, 1751. 

Vid. Pepperell. 

Daniel Farmer and Elizabeth. 
Thomas, born Dec. 2, 173- 
Abigail, " Oct, 1, 1735. 
Elizabeth, " Feb, 4, 1740-1. 



Matthias Farnsworth and 
Mary. 

1 Matthias, born . 

2 John, " . 

3 Benjamin, " . 

4 Samuel, " Oct, 8, 1669, 

5 Abigail, " Jan, 17, 1671. 

6 Jonathan, " 1 d. 4 m. 1675. 

7 Joseph, "diedFeb.20, 1686-7. 

II. (I. 1 ) 

Matthias Farnsworth, Jr. 
and Sarah. 
1 Joseph, born Jan. 17,1682. 

[died Feb, 2, 1682. 

2Ebenezer, " 

3 Josiah, (probably) . 

* Sarah, " 

5 Matthias, born Aug. 6, 1690. 

,1, (1.2) 

John Farnsworth and Hannah 

Aldis. 

(Married, Dec. 8, 1G86.) 

1 Abigail, born Oct, 17, 1687. 

2 John, " Dec. 1,1689, 

[died Sept. 4, 170.3, st. 14, 

3 Daniel, born May 1 1, 1692. 

4 Nathan, " March 13, 1696, 

[died Aug. 4, 1753. 

5 Joseph, " Feb. 26,1698. 

6 Jeremiah, " Mar. 24, 1700-1. 
Hannah, " July 21, 1702. 
Rachel, " Dec. 8, 1704. 
Sarah, " Nov. 20, 1707. 



396 



GROTON. 



II. (1.3) 

Benjamin Farnswortii and 
Mary Prescott. 
iMary, born, Jan. 5, lfi96. 

2 Martha " Jan. 9, 16U8, 

[died Feb. 1), 1C98. 

3 Benjamin, " Jan. 16, 1699. 

4 Isaac, " July 4, 1701. 

5 Ezra, « Jan. 17, 1703. 

6 Amos, " Nov. 27, 1704. 
'Lydia, « Sept. 26, 1706. 

8 Aaron, « Aug. 29, 1709. 

9 Jonas, '■• Oct. 4, 1713. 
Deborah » 1715. 



Samuel Farnsworth and Ma- 

RAH WiLLARD. 
(Married, Dec. 12, 1706.) 
Mary, born, Sept. 13, 1707, at 

Kingston. 
Samuel, " June 29, 1709. 
David, " Aug. 4,1711. 

II. (1.6) 

Jonathan Farnsworth and 
Ruth. 
1 Ruth born April 2, 1699. 
2. Jonathan " March 17, 1701. 

Jan. 2, 1702-3. 

April 28, 1705. 

Sept. 15, 1707. 

Sept. 9, 1709. 

Dec. 1, 1711. 

Feb. 8,1713-14, 
[died July 25, 1715. 

Au^. 10, 1710. 

.Tuly 12, 1718. 

April 28, 1720. 

May 30, 1723. 

April 25, 1725. 



3 Ephraiin, " 

4 Reuben " 
•'' Phinehas, " 

6 Priscilla " 

7 Nathaniel," 

8 John " 



4 William, 
Abigail, 
Kezia, 
Sarah, 
Lydia, 



9 Hannah, " 

10 Simeon " 

11 Susanna, " 

12 Elias, 

13 John, 
Silas 



111. (l. 3 II. 3) 

Ebenezer Farnsworth and Eli- 
zabeth Whitney. 
(Married, April 17, 1707.) 

1 Elizabeth, born Jan. 27, 1707-8. 

2 Matthias, " Sept. 20, 1709. 

3 Ebenezer, " Dec. 16, 1711, 

[died Oct. 11, 1723. 



born Aug. 4, 1714. 
" Sept. 2, 1718. 
" April 17, 1723. 
" Aug. 5, 1725. 
« Dec. 20, 1729. 



III. (l. 1 II. 3) 

Josiah Farnsworth and Mary 

Pierce. 

(Married March 1719-20) 

1 Josiah, born Jan. 4, 1720-1. 



Mary, 

3 Oliver, " 

4 Ebenezer," 

5 James, " 

6 Jeremiah," 

7 Thomas, " 

8 Joseph " 

9 Oliver, " 
10 Mary, " 



June 5, 1722, 

[died young. 
Aug. 30, 1723. 
March 22, 1725-6. 



Dec. 

Aug. 

April 

Nov. 

Jan. 

Feb. 



2, 1727. 
29, 1729. 

1, 1731. 
27, 1732. 
16, 1734-5. 

2, 1736-7. 



III. (1.2 II. 5) 

Joseph Farnsworth and Re- 

BEKAH. 

Mary, born March 12, 1727-8. 
Rebekah, " July 23, 1729. 
Daniel, " March 5, 1731. 

III. (1.6 11.2) 
Jonathan Farnsworth and 
Mary. 
Mary, born June 18, 1726, 

[died March 17, 1727-8. 
Jonathan, born Nov. 22, 1727. 



Betty, 
Joseph 
Abel 

An infant 
Elias 

Lemuel 
Rachel 



Oct. 13, 1729. 



May 19, 1734. 

1736. 

Nov. 20, 1737, 

[died young. 
Aug. 3, 1740. 



III. (l. 3 II. 3 ) 

Benjamin Farnsworth* and Pa- 

TIENCE,t ReBEKAh4 

1 Oliver, born Nov. 9, 1727. 

2 Susanna, " Nov. 29, 1729. 

3 Benjamin, « Feb. 24, 1736, of 

Rebekah. 



APPENDIX. 



397 



4 Solomon, born Oct. 13, 1738. 

5 Ebenezer, " Nov. 22, 1739. 

* Diefl Sept. 18. 1757, of small-pox. 
t Died .luly 10, 1734, set. 30. 
t Died Oct. 1, 17.56 



Isaac Farnsworth and Sarah 
Page. 

(Married, April, 1723.) 

1 Isaac, born Nov. 30, 1723, at 

Groton. 
William, " Feb. 26, 1725, at 

Lunenburg. 
Sarah, " Nov. 27, J 727, do. 
Lydia, " July 24, 1729, 

[died young. 
Lydia, " July 5, 1730. 
Molly, " June 6, 1735. 
Esther, " 

III. (l. 3 II. 5 ) 

Ezra Farnsworth and Eliza- 
beth Lakin, Abigail Pierce. 

(Married, April i.'6, 1726.) 

1 Simon, born March 28, 1727. 

2 Elizabeth, " Jan. 10, 1728-9. 

3 Ruth, « Aug. 21, 1732. 

4 Abigail, " July 26, 1736, of 

Abigail. 

5 Prudence, " July 18, 1740. 

6 Ezra, " Sept. 21, 1744. 
Ephraim, " Aug. 9, 1747, 

[died Sept. 2, 1755. 

III. (l. 3 II. 6 ) 

Amos Farnsworth* and L'tdia 

LONGLET. 

(Married, March 20, 1734-5.) 
Sarah, born Oct. 10, 1736, 

[died Sept. 20, 1756. 
Rachel, " Jan. 29,1737-8. 
Lydia, » Nov. 4, 1739. 
Susanna, " Aug. 25, 1741. 
Lucy, « Nov. 17, 1743, 

[died June, 1802, 
at Nova Scotia. 
Amos, « June 29, 1746, 

[died July 4, 1749. 
Jonas, " Aug. 18, 1748. 



Mary, born 



1752, 



[died June 30, 1790, 
at Nova Scotia. 
Amos, " April 28, 1754. 
Benjamin, " Oct. 24, 17.59, 

[drowned Dec. 5, 1775. 
* Drowned, Dec. 5, 1775. 

HI. (1.3 II. 8) 
Aaron Farnsworth, Hannah 
Barron, Sarah Bennett, Eli- 
zabeth. 

(Married, Marcti 24, 1729.) 
Zaccheue, born Nov. 19, 1719. 



Isabel, 

Mary, 

Hannah, 

Eunice, 

Samuel, 

Esther, 

Aaron, 

Timothy, 



Nov. 12, 1730. 
Jan. 29, 1732. 
June 11, 1734. 
Nov. 26, 1735. 
Aug. 13, 1737. 
July 24, 1739. 
Jan. 5, 1745, of 
Sarah. 
July 28, 1751, of 
Elizabeth. 



in. (1.3 n. 9) 
Jonas Farnsworth and Thank- 
ful Ward, of Worcester. 
Azubah, born June 23, 1740. 
Martha, " May 21, 1742. 
Jonas, " Oct. 2, 1744. 
Deborah, " Sept. 15, 1746. 
Daniel, " Aug. 14, 1748. 
Isaac, " Aug. 9, 1750. 
Thankful, " Aug. 3, 1752. 
Peter, " Aug. 18, 1754. 
Joel, " May 28, 1759, at 

Groton. 

III. (i. 3 11. 3 ) 
Ephraim Farnsworth and De- 
borah. 
Deborah, born Sept. 17, 1727. 
Ephraim, " 1734. 



Ill, (i. 3 n. 4) 

Reuben Farnsworth and Mary. 
Mary, born Sept. 16, 1730. 



Ruth 



~ 1736. 



398 



GROTON. 



III. (l. 3. II, 5) 

Phinehas Farnsworth and 
AzcBAH Burt.* 
Azubah, born Jan. 17, 1731. 

Phinehas, " 1733. 

Sybil, « 1736. 

Kezia, « 1742. 

Sarah, " 1745. 

Joshua, " 1749. 

# Died, 1812, set. 100. 

III. (l. 3 II. S ) 
Jeremiah Farnsworth and 
Sarah. 
Hannah, born March 26, 1729. 
Sarah, " Aug. 22, 1730. 

IV. (l. 3 II. 3 III. 2 ^ 

Matthias Farnsworth and 
Abigail Shed.* 

(Married, Feb. 24, 1729-30.) 

1 Ebenezer, born May 10, 1731. 

2 Matthias, " Dec. 25, 1732. 

3 Abigail, " Nov. 19,1735. 

4 Mary, " 1736, 

probably. 

5 Dinah, " Sept. 15,1737. 

6 Anna, « Dec. 29,1739. 

7 Samuel, " Feb. 4,1742. 

8 Samson, " March 12, 1745. 
Elizabeth, " June 25, 1747. 

* Died, May 11, 1726. 

IV. (l. 3 II. 3 III. J ) 

Oliver Farnsworth and Sa- 
rah Tarbell. 

(Married, Dec. 15, 1749.) 

Susanna, born July 5, 1750. 
Oliver, » Oct. 18, 1751. 
Sarah, " May 11,1753. 
Eunice, " Jan. 2, 1755. 
Edmund, " March 20, 1756. 
Emma, " Sept. 18, 1757. 
Polly, " — ; d.Nov. 30, 1840. 
Maria, " June, 1761. 
Edmund, " July, 1762; died 
Sept. 30, 1756. 
Lydia, " 1764. 
Betsy, " 



Eda, born 
Benjamin, " 
Levi, " 



IV. (l. 3 II, 3 III, 5) 

Ebenezer Farnsworth and 
Sarah Nichols.* 
(Married, Feb. 18, 1767.) 
Rebekah, born Aug. 8, 1767. 
Sally, " Sept 21,1769. 

Thomas, " Dec. 9, 1771. 
Joseph, " June 14, 1777-8. 
William, " March 21, 1780. 
Polly, " April 5, 1782. 

Benjamin, " 1785. 

* Died, Sept; 13,1782. 

IV. (l. 1 II. 3 III. 4 ) 

Ebenezer Farnsworth and 
Mary Nichols. 
(Married, Feb. 20, 1755.) 
Harbor, born June 10, 1756. 
Ebenezer, « April 12, 1758, 

[died May 11, 1761. 
Edmund, " Aug. 15, 1760. 

IV. (l. 3 II. 3 III. 4 ) 

William Farnsworth and Ruth 

HOBART. 

(Married, March 24, 1736-7 ) 

William, born Dec. 27, 1737. 
Ruth, " March 22, 1739-40. 

Gershom, " May 2, 1743. 
Mary, " June 2, 1745. 

IV. (l. 1 II. 3 III. 1 ) 
JosiAH Farnsworth and Han- 
nah BUTTRICK. 

(Married, June 27, 1742) 
Mary born Dec. 10, 1748. 
Josiah, " Sept. 22, 1749. 
Betty, " Sept. 22, 1751. 

IV. (l 3 II. 4 III. 1 ) 

Dea. Isaac Farnsworth* and 

Anna Green.-I- 

(Married, Dec. 4, 1744.) 

Anna, born Jan. 23, 1746. 
Isaac, " Jan. 14, 1748. 
Elizabeth, " March 24, 1750. 
Olive, " June 19, 1753. 



APPENDIX. 



399 



Sally, born April 12, 1755, at 

Pepperell. 
Molly, « Nov. 28, 1758. 
John, « Jan. 19, 1765. 
Samuel, " Sept. 29, 1767. 

* Died, Oct. 1812, cct. 88. 
t Died, Nov. 1812, eet. 89. 

IV. (l. 3 II, 5 III. 6) 

Ezra Farnsworth and Eliza- 
beth Sheple. 
Eunice, born Jan. 10, 1767, 

[died Oct. 9, 1814. 
Ephraim, « Jan. 12, 1769, 

[died March 19, 1812. 
Ezra, « Nov. 30, 1770. 

Abel, " July 15, 1773. 

Joseph, " July 10, 1775. 
Betsey, " Sept. 2, 1777. 
Patty, » March 7, 1780, 

[married Elisha Jacobs ; 
died May 26, 1840. 
Simon, " April 10, 1782. 
James, " June 14, 1784. 
Mary, « March 28, 1787, 

[married Asa Andrews ; 
died Jan. 31, 1846. 

V. (l. 3 II. 3 III. 2 IV. 8 ) 

Samson Farnsworth and Ra- 
chel Shattuck. 
(Married, Sept. 23, 1766.) 
Samuel, born Sept. 16, 1767. 
Phillip, » April 2, 1769. 
Rachel, 
Matthias, 



by a second wife. 



Thomas Farr and Mary. 
(From Burgoyne's army.) 

William, born March 9, 1779. 

Thomas Farrington and Joan- 
na,* Betty Woons.f 
(Married B., Oct. 6, 1768 ) 
Elizabeth, born, Sept. 2, 1758. 
Thomas, « Oct 1, 1760. 
March, " Nov. 13, 1762. 

Frederic, " Nov. 13, 1764, 

[died Jan. 1770. 
Daniel, " April, 1767, 

[died Jan. 1770. 



Vassall, born July 20, 1769. 

Putnam, " Dec. 3, 1770. 

Phillip, « Jan. 7, 1772. 

Abel, " April 13, 1775, 

* Died, June 24. 1767. 

t Died, May 6, 1775, at Kenneljec. 

Joseph Farwell* and Hannah. 

Hannah, born May 6, 1701, 

[died May 11, 1762. 
Elizabeth, « Dec. 31, 1703. 
Edward, " July 12, 1706. 
Mary, « Feb. 5, 1709. 
John, " June 23, 1711. 

Samuel, « Jan. 14, 1714. 
Daniel, « May 20, 1717. 
Sarah, " Feb. 26, 1721. 

* Died, Aug. 21, 1740, eei. 70. 
Joseph Farwell and Mary 

GiLSON. 
(Married, Dec. 14, 1719.) 
Anna, born Feb. 20, 1721. 
Isaac, " March 16, 1722, 

[died May 10, 174U. 
Joseph, « Sept. 20, 1725. 
Jonathan," May 15,1730. 
Thomas, « July 30, 1733. 
Oliver, " June 24, 1735. 
Mary, « Sept. 4, 1738. 
Susanna, " Aug. 8, 1742. 

William Farwell and Eliza- 
beth. 

Elizabeth, born Nov. 2, 1713. 
William, " Feb. 1, 17 J 5. 
John, " Oct. 16, 1717. 

Oliver, " Jan. 13, 1722. 

Henry, » July 21, 1724. 

Edward Farwell and Anna. 

Edward, born Nov. 25, 1731. 
Submit, « Dec. 19, 1733. 

Thomas Farwell and Eliza- 
beth Pierce. 
(Married, Dec. 24, 1723.) 
Thomas, born July 26, 1725, 

[died Sept. 8, 1725. 



400 



GROTON. 



William Farwell, Jr.* and 
Sarah. 
Eunice, born April 20, 1742. 
Elizabeth, " April 13, 1744. 
Henry, " May 15, 1746. 
Sarah, " Nov. 28, 1748. 
Susanna, " Jan. 28, 1751. 
* Died, Feb. 14, 1754.. 

JosiAH Farwell and Lydia. 

Lydia, born Oct. 23, 1751. 
Hannah, " July 31, 1753, 

[died Sept. 1, 1753. 
Josiah, " Sept. 1, 1754. 
Mary, " Nov. 8, 175G. 

Samuel Farwell and Elizabeth 
Moors. 



Sarah, born Dec. 4, 1763. 
Lydia, " Oct. 14, 1765. 
Jonathan, " Dec. 6, 1767. 

Jonathan Farwell and Eunice. 

Joseph, born Aug. 26, 1759. 
Leonard, " Oct. 2, f760. 

Thomas Farwell and Sarah. 



Ephraim, born Oct. 



(Married, J 
Samuel, born 
Elizabeth, 
Eunice, 
Abraham, 
John, 
Sarah, 
Lydia, 
Susanna, 
Joseph, 
Isaac- Moors, 



une 23, 173- 
April 10, 
Jan. 



Oct 

Aug. 

Jan. 

Dec. 

Aug. 

July 



19, 
12, 

18, 
27, 
96, 
4, 
20, 



March 27, 
April 12, 



) 

1736. 

1739. 

1741. 

1743. 

1745. 

1747. 

1749. 

1751. 

1754. 

1757. 



Thomas, 

Joseph, 

Sarah, 

Levi, 

William, 



Jan. 
May 
June 
Nov. 



31, 1760. 
26, 1763. 
13, 1765. 

9, 1768. 
7, 1770. 



March26, 1780. 



Abel Farwell and Hannah. 
Lemuel, born Jan. 4, 1770. 
Feb. 29, 1772. 
March 23, 1774. 



^ Daniel Farwell and MARvr^v 

:^ Daniel, born April 22, 1740. 



Anna, " 
Isaac, " 
Timothy, " 
Mary, " 
Edmund, " 
Zaccheus, " 
Benjamin, " 



May 4, 1742. 
March 28, 1744. 

Feb. 21, 174.5. 

Feb. 6, 1747. 

July 13, 1750. 

June 27, 17.53. 

July 2, 1756 



Capt Henry Farwell and Lydia 
Tarbell, Sarah Taylor, of 
Westford. 

(Married L., Dec. 6. 1749 ; S., June 3, 
1761.) 

Anna, born Oct. 17, 1750, 

[died Feb. 20, 1754. 
Samuel, » May 21, 1752. 
William, " Feb. 16, 1754. 
Lydia, " Oct. 25, 1762, 

[died Dec. 16, 1763. 



Solomon, ? ^^ 

Abel, I 

Solomon, 

Leonard, 

Russell, 

Hannah, 

Betsey, 

James, 



April 16, 1776. 

June 4, 1778. 

May 17, 1781. 

July 15, 1783. 

Dec. 14, 1784. 



David Farwell and Submit. 
David, born May 25, 1765. 

William Farwell and Esther 

Woods. 
(Married, June 26, 1760.) 
Bounker, born May 4, 1761, 

[died Sept. 29, 1764. 
Esther, " June 28, 1763. 
Naomi, « April 5, 1766, 

[died April 25, 1769. 
Naomi, " Aug. 16, 1769, 

[died Jan. 1, 1836. 
Zebulon, " Oct. 4, 1771. 

Amaziah Fassett* and Ede. 
Araaziah, born Feb. 27, 1769, 

[died Oct. 17, 1795. 
Ede, " Oct. 16, 1770. 

Abiel, " Aug. 1, 1772. 

Nabby, " Jan. 16, 1775, 

[died Oct. 22, 1795. 
" Died a prisoner in Boston, July, 1775. 



APPENDIX. 



401 



John Fife and Jane Irvine. 

(Married, April 22, 1731.) 
John, born Aug. 20, 1734. 

James Fiske and Tabitha. 
Mary, born Sept. 11, 1790. 



James, 
Samuel, " 
John, " 
Ann, " 
Jonathan, " 



Feb. 11, 1694-5. 
July 10, 1696. 
Dec. 10, 1699. 
April 16, 1702. 
Sept. 10, 1705. 



Samuel Fiske and Susanna. 
Samuel, born March 5, 1704. 
Susanna, " Feb. 8, 1706. 
Experience, « April 29, 1708. 
Thomas, " Feb. 21, 1712. 
Meriam, " April 18, 1716, 

[died Mar. 26, 1718-19. 
Meriam, born July 3, 1720. 

Samuel Fiske and Elizabeth 
Parker. 
(Married, Jan. 12, 1726-7.) 
Elizabeth, born Aug. 13, 1727. 



Samuel, 

Eleazer, " 

Susanna, " 

Mary, " 

Josiah, " 

Sarah, " 

Nathan Fi 
Sarah, born 
Elizabeth, " 
Jonathan, " 
David, " 
Eleazer, " 
Patience, " 

Nathan, « 
Simeon, •' 



Oct. 12, 1729. 
Nov. 23, 1731. 
Sept. 29, 1734. 
Oct. 4, 1736. 
Sept. 27, 1739, 
[died Aug. 2, 1742. 
Nov. 1, 1742. 

SKE and Patience. 
Feb. 6, 1731. 
Aug. 21, 1733. 
Nov. 21, 1738. 
April 27, 1741. 
Dec. 24, 1743. 
Aug. 28, 1747, 
[died Oct. 15, 1747. 
Oct 20, 1749. 
Oct. 8, 1752. 



James Fiske and Lydia Bennett. 

(Married, March 23, 1736-7.) 
James born June 28, 1738. 
Lydia, " Feb. 20, 1740. 
Peter, ' March 16, 1743. 
Mary, « June 9, 1746. 
John, " March 30, 1749. 

51 



Thomas Fiske and Mary Parker. 

(Married, 11, 17il.) 

Mary, born Oct. J 8, 174.3. 
Thomas, " March 12, 1745. 
John, " July 23, 1748. 
Sarah, " x\pril 27, 1750. 

Jonathan Fiske and Jemima. 
Benjamin, born Nov. 4, . 

Joseph Fletcher and Eliza- 
beth. 
Elizabeth, born April 27, 1736. 



Thomas, 

Jonathan, 

Susanna, 

Emma, 

Sarah, 

Joseph, 

Lucy, 



Sept. 11, 1738. 
March 19, 1741. 
Oct. 27, 1743. 
7, 1746. 
2, 1749. 
18, 1752, 
16, 1755. 



April 
Sept. 
June 
April 



GershOxM Fletcher and Lydia. 

Gershom, born Sept. 30, 1737. 
Olive, " Aug. 14, 1741. 

John Fletcher and Lydia 
Patch. 
(Married, June 23, 1736.) 
Paul, born June 5, 1737, 

[died Dec. 2, 1738. 
John, " Dec. 28, 1738. 
Paul, " March 11, 1740. 
Mary, " April 6, 1742. 

Oliver Fletcher and Olive. 
Olive, born Sept. 24, 1760. 
Oliver, " Jan. 12, 1762. 
Phebe, " Jan. 28, 1764. 
Sadoc, « Nov. 1, 1766. 

Paul Fletcher and Anna Wil- 
LARD of Lancaster, Abigail, and 
Thankful. 

(Married A., Aug. 20, 1760.) 
Anna, born June 4, 1761. 
Daniel, " March 13, 1763. 
Lydia, " March 2, 1769, of 

Abisrail- 
Paul, " July 12, 1775, of 
Thankful 



402 



GROTON. 



EzEKiKL Fletcher and Bridget. 
Ezekiel, born Aug. 15, 1767. 
Bridget, " Nov. 2^2, 17()8. 
Vryling, " Jan. 28, 1770. 
Nancy, " Sept. '2, 1772. 
Lyman, " June 2, 1773. 
Rebekah, " Aug. VJ, 1775. 

Samuel Flood of Andover, and 
TRYPHE>rA Powers. 
(Married, Dec. 8, 17^-2.) 

Mary, born Oct. 15,1744. 

Martha, " Feb. 18, 1746. 

Samuel, " April 21, 1749. 

Timothy," July 21, 1751. 

StephejS^ Foster and Sarah 

Bt-OOD. 

(Married, July 5, 174-7 ) 
Nathaniel, born Aug. 17, 1755. 

Simeon Foster and MartLakin. 

(Married, Dec. 15, 1761) 
Esther, born Oct. 16, 176.3. 
Eunice, " Dec. 31, 1764. 
Simeon, " May 2, 1767. 
Andrew, " April 16, 17()9. 
William, « Feb. 23, 1773. 

Philip Fowler and Abigail. 
Oliver, born Aug. 15, 1747. 

John Frost and Ruth. 

16, 1714-15. 
7, 1716. 

5, 1717-18. 
20, 1719. 

1, 1722. 
28, 1723. 
26, 1725. 
28, 1727. 
14, 1729. 

6, 1731. 
23, 1734. 
23, 1737. 

John Frost, Jr. and Mindwell. 
Joseph, born Aug. 8, 1751. 

Marcy, " June 14, 1755. 

Jonathan-Bigelow, Nov. 20, 1759. 
Joseph, " Aug. 19, 1762. 



Jemima, born Jan. 


Lydia, " 
Sarah, « 


July 
Jan. 


Keziah, " 


March 


Deborah, " 


June 


Abigail, " 
John, " 


May 

Aug. 


Scripture, " 


March 


Abigail, " 


Feb. 


Tryphena, " 
Patience, " 


May 

April 


Submit, " 


Oct. 



Patrick Garvin and Marv. 
James, born Oct. 2, 1730. 

Joseph Gilson and Mary. 
Joseph, born 8 d. 1 m. 1666-7. 
Sarah, " June 25, 1669. 
John, " 23 d. 2 m. 1674, 

[died Sept. 10, 1707. 

John Gilson and Sarah. 
John, born March 2, 1697. 
Sarah, " May 1, 1700. 
Michael, « Oct. 14, 1702. 
Susanna, « May 28, 1704. 
Ebenezer, " Dec. 10, 1707. 

Joseph Gilson and Hepzibah, 
Elizabeth. 
Anne, born Oct. 22, 1690. 
Jeremiah, " Jan. 10, 1696. 
Sarah, " Dec. 25, 1698. 
Mary, ♦' Feb. 8, 1703, of 
Elizabeth. 

Eleazer Gilson and Hannah 

Farwell. 

(Married, May 6, 1719.) 

Eleazer, born Feb. 19, 1720. 



Hannah, 




March 7, 1722. 


Esther, 




July 30, 1724. 


Eunice, 




Nov. 8, 1726. 


Samuel, 




.Tan. 7, 1728. 


Simon, 




Dec. 22, 1730. 


Peter, 




Feb. 3, 1732. 


Lydia, 




Sept. 17, 1735. 


Joseph G 


iLsoN and Mary 


Mary, 


born Feb. 16, 1718. 


Elizabeth 




Feb. 11, 1720. 


Anne, 


u 


July 25, 1722. 


Sarah, 


u 


Sept. 27, 1724. 


Joseph, 


(1 


Dec. 1, 1726. 


Ruth, 


(( 


March 21, 1728. 


Jonathan, 


l( 


Jan. 7, 1730. 


Joseph, 


(( 


May 27, 1733. 


Daniel, 


li 


March 28, 1736. 



John Gilson and Mary Shat- 
tuck. 
(Married, Dec. 8, 1722 ) 
Mary, born Nov. 17, 1723. 
John, « May 12, 1726. 



APPENDIX. 



403 



David, born May 7, 1728. 

[died Sept. 1, 1728. 
Jonathan, " Aug. 2(j, 1729, 

[died Oct. 22, 1744. 
Jeremiah, " Aug. 1, 1731, 

[died Oct. 11, 1731. 
David, " Dec. 7, 1732. 
Amasa, " Aug. 25,' 1735. 
Solomon, " July 17, 1737. 
Sarah, " Dec. 22, 1743. 

Michael GiLsoN and Susanna 
Sawtell. 
(Married, April^iS. ITZG.) 
Zachariah, born April 16, 1727. 

[died Oct. 29, 173.5. 
Rachel, " Jan. 30, 1728-9. 
Michael, " Feb. 24, 1730-1. 
Jacob, " Dec. 17, 1732. 

[died Oct. 31, 1735. 
Benjamin, " Feb. 16, 1735. 
Zachariah, " Jan. 14, 1736-7. 
Susanna, « July 28, 1739. 
Elizabeth, « July 11,1741. 

TiMOTHT GiLsoN and Persis. 
Jonathan, born Dec. 15, 1726. 
Timothy, " Oct. 29, 1730. 

Isaac Gilson and Dorothy 

Kemp. 

(Married, Jan. 15, 1729 ) 

Isaac, born Oct 3, 1731. 

Dorothy, " Sept. 17, 1733. 

Joseph, " April 6, 1741. 

Ebenezer Gilso.v and Annes 
Searl. 
(Married, Jan. 23, 1733-4.) 
Annes, born Oct. 25, 1734. 
Ebenezer, " June 4, 1745. 
Sarah, " July 18, 1748. 

John Gilson, Jr. and Hannah, 

Prudence Lawrence. 
(Married P. Lawrence, Jan. 19, llSi.) 
Kezia, born May 22, 1748. 
John, " June 14, 1750. 
Samuel, " Aug. 4, 17.52. 
Abel, " June 14, 1764, of 

Prudence. 
Daniel, " Oct. 21, 1765. 



Peter Gilson and Sybil Whit- 
ney. 
(Married, May 27. 175G ) 
Sybil born Jan. 18, 1757. 
Lydia, " Aug. 28, 1759. 

Solomon Gilson and Mary. 
Solomon, born Sept. 13, 1758. 
Simeon, " April 21, 1761, 

[died Aug. 9, 1842. 
Jonas, " Oct. 19, 1763. 

Mary, " June 20, 1766, 

[died July 2, 1766. 
Molly, « Aug. 13, 1767. 

Levi, " Feb. 16, 1770. 

Asa, " July 18, 1772. 

Lucy, " Jan. 1, 1775. 

Peter, " March 24, 1777. 

Susan, " April 23, 1779. 

Amasa Gilson and Widow Ceu- 
lah Phelps. 
(Married, July II, 1759) 
Abijah, born Nov. 5, 1760. 

Daniel Gilson and Apphia. 
Daniel, born Sept. 9, 1761. 
Joseph, " March 7, 1763. 

Abigail, " June 11,1766. 
Samuel, " July 7, 1768. 
Abner Kent, " Feb. 4, 1771. 

Nehemiah Gilson and Abigail. 

Nehemiah, born July 10, 1766. 

Nathaniel, " March 24, 1768. 

Sybil, " June 9, 1770. 
Jacob Blanchard, Sept. 5, 1772. 

Oliver, " March 15, 1776. 

Nabby, " Dec. 15, 1777. 

Asahel, " Feb. 27, 1780. 

Isaac, « Sept. 26, 1783. 

Adam Gold and Rebecca. 
Dorcas, born 8 d. 7 m. 1683. 

Nehemiah Gould and Esther 
Bowers. 
(Married, Nov. 1, 1737 ) 
Esther, born Dec. 31, 1738. 
Nehemiah, " Nov. 28, 1741, 

[died Mar. 19,1745. 



404 



GROTON. 



James, 
Jonas, 



born 



Lydia, 
Mary, 
Nehemiah, 
Jonas, 



Jan. 28, 1743. 
Jan. 26, 1745, 
[died Feb. 11,1745. 
Jan. 25, 1740. 
Feb. 5, 1748. 
Jan. 13, 17.52. 
Feb. 8, 1749. 



JoiVATHAX Gove and Maky. 
John, born Feb. 17, 1771. 
Lucinda, " May 15, 1772. 

Jacob Gragg and Margaret. 
Jacob, born March 18, 1739. 



John, 


" July 


9, 


1741. 


Thomas, 


" July 


21, 


1746. 


Susanna, 


" Oct. 


22, 


1749. 


Samuel, 


" Feb. 


15, 


1752. 


Margaret, 


" May 


2, 


1754. 



Jacob Gragg, Jr., and Mary. 
Joseph, born May 6, 1767. 
Jacob " March 9, 1769. 
Mary, " April 18, 1771. 
Abigail, " April 3, 1773. 

John Graves and Susanna. 
Susanna, born Dec. 22, 1764. 



John, 

Hannah 

Joseph 

Benjamin, 

Rachel, 



Aug. 16, 1766. 
April 11, 1768. 
Oct. 8, 1770. 
Oct. 28, 177-. 
Feb. 22, 177-. 



William Green and Mary. 

William, born July 13,1665. 

Anna » 12 d. 3 m. 1667. 

John, " March — , 1669. 

Eleazer, » May 20, 1672. 

Elizabeth " lid. 1 m. 1680. 

Hannah, died 28 d. 1 m. 1682. 

Hannah, born 10 d. 2 m. 1683. 

John Green and Mary. 
Mary, born Nov. 3, 1690. 
Hannah, » Jan. 5, 1694. 
John, " Nov. 1, 1696. 

Eleazer Green* and Eliza- 
beth.! 
Eleazer, born Jan. 26, 1696. 



I A daughter,boTn Jan. 29, 1698, 

[diedFeb. 13, 1698. 
Elizabeth, « June 10, 1704. 
James, " Jan. 20, 1708-9. 

* Died, Sept. 10, 1737. 
t Died, ftlarch 18, 1744. 

John Green and Hannah. 
John, born Nov. 30, 1720. 

Eleazer Green and Arna 

Tarbell.* 

Eleazer, born July 25, 1723. ^ 



Anna, 
James, " 
Elizabeth, » 
Sarah, " 
Thomas, « 
Samuel, " 
Nehemiah " 



July 23, 1725. 
June 19, 1728. 
Feb. 23, 1730. 
Sept. 2, 1733. 
Aug. 27, 1736. 
Sept. 10, 1739. 
Jan. 25, 1741-2. 



* Died Nov. 27, 1753. 
William Green and Haknah 

HOLDEN. 

(Married March 9, 1727.) 
William, born Dec. 25, 1727. 
Simon, " Sept. 15, 1729. 
Jonas, " March 15, 1731. 
Hannah, « Dec. 4, 1732. 

Jonathan Green and Mary 
Lakin. 

(Married, Feb. 5 
Sarah, born Dec 



Josiah, 

Mary, 

Jonathan, 

Lucy, 

David, 

Eunice, 



1724-5.) 
24, 1725. 
Feb. 26, 1727-8. 
June 22, 1731. 
May 11, 1733. 
Feb. 5, 1736. 
March 10, 1741, 
[died Nov. 11, 1822. 
March 1, 1745. 



James Green and Sarah Shat- 

TUCE. 

(Married, April 26, 1739.) 
Sarah, born Dec. 30, 1739. 

Isaac Green and Martha. 
Elizabeth, born April 10, 1742. 
Nehemiah, " ^Oct. 1, 1744. 
Susanna, " 'March 20, 1746. 
Martha, '^ April 19, 1749. 



APPENDIX. 



405 



Mary, born April 6, 1751, 

[died Nov. 12,1753. 
Abigail, " March 18, 1753. 
Isaac, " May 11, 1755. 

Eleazer Green and Sarah. 

Molly, born Aug. 15, 1751, 

at Pepperell. 

Eleazer, " Oct. 15, 1753, 

[d. Dec.l3, 1724, 

at Pepperell. 

Mary, " Dec. 24, 1755, 

at Pepperell. 

Sarah, " Dec. 1, 1759. 

Anna, " Oct. 10, 1762. 

Elizabeth, « Oct. 10, 3705. 

Josiah Sartell " Sept. 6, 1769. 

Thomas, « April 13, 1772. 

Benjamin Green and Ruth. 

Jabez, born Dec. 31, 1767. 
Benjamin, " Jan. 21, 1770. 
Ruth « Sept. 10, 1771. 

Ede, « Oct. 30, 1773. 

Leonard, " Aug. 10, 1775. 



Jonas Green 


and Jemima Hol- 




den. 


Abigail. 


(Married Jemima, June 29, 1758.) 


Betty, 


born 


Sept. 23, 1760. 


Nathaniel 


> " 


March 31, 1762. 


Jonas, 


^ 






[J 


onasd.April2,1762. 


Jemima, 


ii 


March 4, 1764. 


Lydia, 


11 


Oct. 19, 1765. 


Jonas, 


•\ 




Josiah, 


y " 


Oct. 15, 1767. 


Reuben, 


^ 


TReuben died 
'Oct.17,1767. 


Abigail, 


<( 


Sept. 5, 1769. 


Rachel, 


« 


July 12, 1771. 


Joshua, 


a 


Aug. 23, 1776, 
of Abigail, 


Guy, 


a 


Aug. 23, 1778. 


Hannah, 


(( 


May 1, 1780. 


Asa, 


(( 


Jan. 31, 1782. 


Jonathan, 


u 


May 7, 1784. 


Hannah, 


u 


Feb. 19, 1786. 


Polly, 


u 


Sept. 2, 1788. 


David, 


i( 


May 6, 1791. 


Rebecca, 


(( 


April 29, 1793. 



Benjamin Hadlet and Mehi- 
tabel.* 
Thomas, born Aug. 11, 1712. 
Sarah, " Nov. 22, 1713. 

[died Aug. ,3, 1731. 
Benjamin, " July 25, 1715. 
Mehitabel, « Feb. 14, 1716-7. 
John " Sept. 28, 1719. 

Phebe, " Sept. 25, 1721. 

Simon, " March 20, 1723. 

Hannah, " Feb. 10, 1725. 
Eleazer, " Nov. 8, 1727. 
Ann, » April 9, 1730. 

* Died, April 13, 1749, tet. 57. 

Christopher Hall and Sarah. 
Grace, born Nov. 25, 1672. 
John, « April 9, 1681. 

John Hall and Mary. 
Benjamin, born June 7, 1703. 
Sarah, » Feb. 3, 1705-6. 

Nathan Hall and Mary. 
Mary, born March 9, 1745. 
Nathan, " Aug. 2-3, 1748. 
Mehitabel, " 1750. 

Samuel Hartwell and Sarah 

HOLDEN. 

(Married, June 9, 1737.) 
Sarah, born March 19, 1737-8. 
Rachel, « Dec. 19, 1739. 
Priscilla, « Feb. 20, 1745. 
Samuel, " July 11, 1748. 

Samuel Hartwell and Sarah. 
Sarah, born May 29, 1733. 

Ebenezer Hartwell and Ra- 
chel. 
Ebenezer, born April 21, 1736. 
Oliver, " April 22, 1739. 

James Hartwell and Jemima 
Frost. 

(Married, Feb. 22, 1737-8.) 
Jemima, born March 27, 1741. 
Molly, " March 19, J 748. 
Amasa, " Feb. 28, 1745. 
Susanna, " April 15, 1748. 



406 



GROTON. 



Jonathan, born April 20, 1750. 
Elizabeth, " April 3, 1753. 
Sarah, " Nov. 21, 175(J. 

Ebenezer Hartwell and Mary. 

Molly, born Oct. 22, 17G4. 
Lucy, " May 14, 17GG. 

* Died, April, 1767. 

Nathaniel Harris and Anne. 
Fullum, born May 4, 1750. 
Jane, " Jan. 1, 1752. 

EzEKiEL Haskel and Rebecca. 
Mary, born June 3, 1771. 

BenjaminHazen* and Elizabeth 
Blanchard, Betty Nutting. 

(Married E., July 25, 1717-18 ; B., April 
t, 1740.) 

Elizabeth, born Feb. 5, 1719. 
Timothy, " Sept. 11, 1720. 
Eunice, " Oct. 20, 1722. 

[died Nov. 14, 1728. 
Hepzibah, " Feb. 19, 1724-5. 
Betty, " Nov. 30, 1740. 

Mary, " April 28, 1743. 

Benjamin " Dec. 7, 1745. 
John, " May 31, 1749. 

David, " Oct. 29, 1751. 

Eunice, " April 30, 1754. 

* Died, Sept. 28, 1755. 

S vMUEL Hazen and Sarah. 
Edward, born Jan. 2, 1738. 

Robert Henry and Eleanor. 
Sarah, born Feb. 10, 1744. 
Anna, " April 3, 1747. 
Robert, " April 10, 1749. 
Eleanor, " May 19, 1751. 

Rev. Gershom Hobart* and 
Sarah. f ^^aCt^ 
Dorothy, born June 10, 1G8G. 
Joanna, " Dec. 30, 1G9G. 
Other children not recorded. 

* Died, Dec. IS. 1707. 
t Died, April 14, 1712. 



GershOxM Hobart and Lydia 

Nutting. 

(Married, Feb. 26, 1713-14.) 

Ruth, born Nov. 8, 1714. 

Gershom, « July 13, 1717. 

Josiah, " July 18, 1719. 

Jeremiah, " Feb. 5, 1722. 

Jonathan, " March 10, 1724-5. 

Lydia, « Nov. 12, 1729. r 

John, « March 30, 1731. 

Shebuel Hobart and Martha. 

Shebuel, born Sept. 29, 1715. 

Nehemiah, " March 13, 1717. 

Martha, " Oct. 7, 1718. 

Mary, " Aug. IG, 1720. 

Israel, " July 2, 1722. 

Emma, " March 21, 1724, 

Rachel, « May 23, 1725. 

Deborah, " May 13, 1727. 

Peter Hobart and Sarah. 

Sarah, born March 4, 1717-18. 
Peter, " Aug. 7, 1720. 
David, " Aug. 21, 1722. 
Samuel, " Aug. 11, 1734. 
James, " Jan. 16, 1738-9. 
Jemima, " July 4, 1741. 

[The aforenamed Gershom, Shebuel, 
and Peter, were undoubtedly sons of the 
Rev. Gershom Hobart.] 

Shebuel Hobart, Jr. and Es- 
ther Parker. 
(Married, June 7, 1739.) 

Esther, born Feb. 2, 1740. 
William, " June IG, 1742. 
Jonas, " Nov. 4, 1744. 
Edmund, " March 14, 1745. 
Abigail, " Aug. 9, 1748. 
Martha, " Dec. IG, 1749. 
James, " Feb. 2G, 1753, at 

HoUis. 
Mary, « Dec. 9, 1755, do. 
Isaac, " Feb. 15, 1757, do. 
Solomon, " July 21, 1760, do. 

Gershom Hobart, J r. and Mary. 
Gershom, born Sept. 26, 1744. 



APPENDIX. 



407 



Nehemiah 
Nehemiali, 

Caleb, 

Shebuel, 

Daniel, 

Rachel, 

Elizabeth, 

Joel, 
Hulda, 

Hulda, 



HoBART and Rachel. 
born Oct. 4, 1742, 

[died March 7, 1758. 

" April 1(5, 1744. 

" Dec. 15, 1746. 

« Feb. 24,1748-9. 

" April 1, 1751. 

" June 18, 1753, 
at Pepperell. 

« March 31, 175G, " 

« Aug. 8, 1759, " 
[died Sept. 1, 1761. 

" Dec. 10, 1761. 



Josiah Hobart and Emma. 

Martha, born July 1.3, 1748, 

[died June 18, 1765. 
Josiah, " Sept. 1, 1750, 

[died June 12, 1765. 
Emma, " Feb. 21, 1753, 

[died June 12, 1765. 
Jotham, " Sept. 7, 1754, 

[died June 14, 1765. 

Israel Hobart and Anna Law- 
rence. 
(Married, July 7, 1748.) 
Israel, born May 21, 1749. 
William, " May 23, 1751.' 
Anna, " Feb. 13, 1753. 

Susanna, " July 12, 1755. 
Benjamin, " March 1, 1757. 
Phebe, " Aug. 6, 1759, 

[died Nov. 2, 1759. 
Phebe, " Nov. 19, 1760. 
Nehemiah, " April 21, 1764. 

[died Dec. 3, 1764. 
Samuel, « Mar. 13, 1766. 

[died Dec. 26, 1769, 

at Townsend. 

Susanna, " Mar. 20, 1770, at 

Townsend. 

Jeremiah Hobart* and Hannah 
Green. 
(Married, March 4, 1752) 
Hannah, born March 1, 1753. 
Jeremiah, " Oct. 13, 1755. 
Simon, " Feb. 7, 1758, 

[died July 4, 1755. 
Tryphena, " Dec. 4, 1759. 
Nathaniel, " March 1, 1762. 



Levi, born Jan. 22, 1764, 

[died Sept. 4, 1782. 

Nabb'y',! " Dec. 24, 1766. 
Emma, " April 18, 1771. 
David, » June 18, 1774. 

[died April 30, 1782. 
* Died, Dec. 27, 1820, eet. 80. 

Gershom Hobart and Phebe. 
Phebe, born April 17, 1770. 

Justinian Holden and Mariah. 
Mariah, born May 20, 1680. 

Samuel Holden and Anna. 
Ann, born March I, 1682. 

Richard Holden, died March 1, 
1696. 

John Holden* and Sarah 

DAVIS.f 

(Married, Nov 22, 1715 ) 
Sarah, born Sept. 5, 1717. 
John, " Oct. 15, 1719. 

Rachel, » March 13, 1722. 
Caleb, " Feb. 1, 1723-4. 
Amos, " June 16, 1726. 
Isaiah, " Aug. 10, 1728. 
Nehemiah," March 12, 1731. 
Lois, " March 2, 1732. 

Hannah, " June 24, 1735. 
Daniel, " Dec. 10, 1738. 

* Died, Dec. 27, 1753. 
t Died, Dec. 21, 1733. 

Stephen Holden and Hannah 
Sawtell, Sarah. 
(Married H., Sept. 2, 1710.) 
Stephen, born June II, 1720. 
Charles, « Oct. 22, 1721. 
Hannah, " Sept. 30, 172.3. 
Philemon, " Feb. 28, 1725. 
Submit, " Nov. 21, 1729. 

Nathaniel, " , 

[died May 15, 1740. 
Relief, « April 2, 1750, of 

Sarah. 
Jonas, " Sept. 8, 1751. 

Ephraim, " Sept. 16, 1753. 
Content, " May 8, 1756. 



408 



GROTON. 



Nathaniel Holden and Abigail 
Stone. 

(Married, March 24, 1718 ) 

Abigail, born Sept. 15, 1719. 
Nathaniel, " Oct. 2, 1721, 

[died April 30, 1740. 
Isaac, " Nov. 19, 1723. 

Lydia, " Dec. 6, 1725, 

[died Feb. 5, 1744. 
Mary, " April 3, 1728. 

Prudence, " April 2G, 1730. 
Asa, " Aug. 23, 1732. 

Stephen Holden, Jk. and Sarah. 

Sarah, born March 24, 1741. 
Francis, " Mny 6, 1743. 
Stephen, " March 1(5, 1744. 
Charles, " July 17, 1747. 
Zachariah, " April 3, 17.10. 
Sawtell, " May 13, 1752. 

William Holden and Annes 
Nutting. 

(Married, Nov. 10, 1747.) 

Annes, born Aug. 27, 1748, 

[died May 28, 1749. 

Annes, " Nov. 16, 1749, 

[died Nov. 16, 1749. 

William, " Aug. 1, 1751, 

[died Feb. 14, 1755. 

Nathaniel, " Aug. 15, 1753. 

Annes, " July 6, 1758. 

Jonathan Holden* and Debo- 
rah HOOGHTON. 

(Married, April 26, 1742.) 

Robert, born March 5, 1743. 
John, " Jan. 28, 1745, 

[died Oct. 7, 1747. 
Deborah, « Feb. 20, 1747, 

[died Sept. 1, 1753. 
Jonathan, " Nov. 16, 1749. 
Mary, " Oct. 11, 1751, 

[died Sept. 10, 1753. 
Deborah, " Oct. 24, 1753. 
Mary, " Sept. 15, 1756. 
Hannah, " May 8, 1758. 

♦ Died, Sept. 13, 1758, eet. 53. 



Jonathan Holden and Hannah 
Woods. 
(Married, March 15, 1758.) 
Hannah, born Aug. 30, 1759. 
Elizabeth, " Nov. 2, 1762. 

Jabez Holden* and Rachel 
Farnsworth. 
(Married, June IG, 171)1.) 
Sarah, born Aug. 13, 1762. 
Jabez, " July 2, 1766. 
Olive, « Sept. 17, 1768. 
Samuel, " June 17, 1772. 
* Died, Aug. 11,1783. 

Caleb Holden and Abigail. 
Abigail, born March 25, 1748. 
Sarah, « Jan. 11, 1749. 

Philemon Holden and Lucy 

Walker. 

(Married, Jan. 10. 1751.) 

Lemuel, born June 27, 1751. 

Amos Holden and Prudence 
Holden. 
(Married, Feb. 6, 1750-1.) 
Amos, born Sept 21, 1752. 

Isaac Holden and Sarah. 

Sarah, born Jan. 19, 1759, 

[died March 6, 1759. 

Joshua Holden and Sarah 

BiGELOW. 

(Married, June 8, 1761.) 
Joshua, born Oct. 28, 1765. 
Sarah, " March 9, 1767. 

Isaiah Holden* and Betty Shed. 

(Married, Dec. 23, 1762 ) 
Betty, born Sept. 23, 1763. 
Edmund, " Oct 19, 1765. 
Oliver, « Dec. 3, 1767, 

[died, 1822. 
Jonathan, " Oct 24, 1769. 

* Died, Nov. 1811, set. 82. 



APPENDIX. 



409 



Lieut. Jonathan Hubbard and 
Rebekah. 
Abigail, born June 25, 1721. 
John, " May 24, 1723, 

[died Feb. 17, 1724. 
Mary, " May 12, 1725. 
John, « April 3, 1727. 

Nathan Hubbard and Mary 
Patterson. 

(Married April 2, 1745.) 



Thomas, born 

Nathan, " 

Mary, " 

Betty, " 

Phinehas, " 

Jonathan, " 

Hezekiah, " 

Lucy, " 

Emma, " 

Hannah, " 

Susanna, " 

Abigail, " 



Dec. 28, 1745. 
June 2, 1747. 
Jan. 9, 1748. 
Dec. 24, 1750. 
Feb. 25, 1751. 
[died Mar. 10,178G. 
— ;d. Oct. 2,1757. 
Jan. 19. 1755. 
Aug. 20, 1757. 



July 10, 17G1, 
[died Mar. G, 1765. 
Oct. 3, 1703, 
[died Mar. 5,1708. 
April 23, 1765. 



Nathaniel Hunt and Hep- 

ZIBAH. 

Zibah, born March 31, 1752. 

John Hutchins and Abigail. 
John, born Oct. 13, 1693. 



Joshua, 



Abigail, " 
Elizabeth, » 
Benjamin, " 



Nov. 5, 1G90, 
[married Mary Shed 
July 12, 1722. 
Sept. 14, 1698. 
Sept. 6, 1700. 
Aug. 17, 1705. 



Henry Jefts and Mary. 
John, born Oct. 2, 1739. 
Thomas, " Oct. 20, 1741. 

Ebenezer Jefts and Elizabeth 

FaRNSWORTH. 

(Married, Dec. 30, 1729.) 

John, born Jan. 10, 1730. 
Elizabeth, " June 14, 1732. 

52 



Sarah, born July 12, 1734. 
Lydia, «' Sept. 14, 17.39. 
Martha, " Oct. 11, 1744. 

Obadiah Jenkins and Lydia. 
Joel, born Sept. 12, 17.50. 
David, " March 4, 1758. 
Lemuel " Aug. 1, 1763. 

Joseph Jewett and Jane. 
Nehemiah, born Feb. 28,1716-17. 
Jedediah, " Sept. .5, 1719. 
Jane, " April 12, 1722. 

Benjamin, " Nov. 30, 1724. 

Nehemiah Jewett and Lydia. 
Nehemiah, born May 15, 1740. 
David, '' Dec. 30, 1742. 

Lydia, " Feb. 28, 1744. 

Solomon, " July 25, 1747. 

Jedediah Jewett and Eliza- 
beth Shattuck. 
(Married, July 17, 1711.) 
Elizabeth, born Jan. 25, 174.5. 
Kezia, " Oct. 6, 1748. 

Ede, « Jan. 4, 1752. 

Samuel Kemp and Sarah. 
Jonathan, born April 6, 1008. 
Mehitabei, " Jan. 4, 1073. 
Bethiah, « 9d. 5 m., 1683. 

Jonathan Kemp and Mary. 
Joseph, born Sept. 10, 1099. 
Mary, " May 27, 1702. 

Zerubbabel Kemp and Mary. 
Ebenezer, born Feb. 28, 1704. 
Zerubbabel," Oct. 12, 170.5. 
John, « Jan. 18, 1707-8. 

Mary, " April 8, 1713. 

Samuel Kemp and Sarah, 
Sarah, born Oct. 9, 1713. 



Samuel, 

William, 

Susanna, 

David, 

Esther, 

Ebenezer, 



April 13, 1716. 
April 20, 1718. 
May 14, 1720. 
Sept. 30, 1722. 
Oct. 9, 172.5. 
April,—, 1729. 



410 



GROTON, 



Samuel Kemp, 3d, and Eliza- 
beth GiLSON. 

(Married Feb. 2, 

Joseph, born Jan. 

Ephraim, " March 

Samuel, " Aug. 

Elizabeth, " Nov. 

Mary, " April 

Eunice, " July 

Ruth " Jan. 

Eunice, " April 



Jonas, 



July 



173C-7 ) 

1(1, 1737. 
22, 1741. 

1, 1743. 

f), 1745. 

6, 1748. 
K), 1750. 
19, 1753. 

4, 1758. 
27, 1760. 



John Kemp and Sarah Holden. 

(Married, Nov. 4, 1731.) 

John, born June 4, 1732. 

Lawrence, " Sept. 24, 1733. 

Oliver, " July 11,1735. 

Jabez, " March 19, 1736-7. 

Stephen, " Sept. 19, 1739. 

Lucy, " April 24, 1742. 

i Amasa, " May 21, 1744. 

Sarah, " May 29, 1746. 



Zerubbabel Kemp, Jr., and Abi- 
gail Lawrence. 

(Married, Nov. 23, 1737.) 

Mary, born Nov. 3, 1738. 
Abi<!;ail, " Jan. 17, 1740-1. 
Betty, » May 4, 1743. 



Hezekiah Kemp and Dorothy, 
Rebecca. 

Hezekiah, born July 15, 1738. 



Timothy, 


(( 


Feb. 19, 1739-40 


Silas, 


(( 


Nov. 11, 1741. 


Abel, 


(( 


Aug. 15, 1743. 


Dorothy, 


(( 


May 2, 1745. 


William, 


u 


April 16, 1755, of 
Rebecca. 


Patience, 


(( 


April 18, 1757. 


Mary, 


u 


Oct. Jl, 1759, 
[died June 9, 1769. 



William Kemp and Patience 

Nutting. 

(Married, Nov. 11,1740) 

Sybil, born March 13,1740, (error ?) 



David Kemp and Hannah 
Sawtell. 
(Married, Jan. 5, 1743-4.) 
Hannah, born July 26, 1744. 
Susanna, " Aug. 27, 1746. 
Phinehas, " June 21, 1749. 
Rachel, " Aug. 31, 1751. 
Susanna, " July 4, 1754, 

at Pepperell. 
David, " Jan. 25, 1758. 
Betty, " Dec. 31, 1760. 
Lydia, " May 2, 1764, 

at Shirley. 
Olive, " April 14, 1768, 

[died Mar. 18, 1782. 



Ebenezer K 

Ebenezer, born 

Abigail, " 

William, 

Dudley- 

Bradstreet 

Molly, 

Simeon, 

Lydia, 

Hannah, 

Oliver, 



\" 



BMP and Mary. 

Jan. 11,1749. 
July 28, 1751. 
Sept. 2, 1753. 

April 21, 1754, (?) 

Nov. 23, 1755. 
Sept. 28, 1758. 
July 4, 1760. 
Aug. 17, 1762. 
June 27, 1765. 

William Lakin,* died Dec. 10, 
1672, iPt. 90 or 91. 

* This was the ancestor of all the La- 
kins herein mentioned. He was erand- 
t'atlier of Lieut. William and Ensign 
John, whose father died in England; and 
their mother married William Martin. 

Lieut. William Lakik* and 
Lydia. 
Jonathan, born June 28, 1661, at 
Reading, 
Abraham, " Jan. 10, 1664. 
William, " May — , 1665. 
Abraham, " Sept. 11, 1667. 
Eliab, « Jan. 8, 1669. 

* Died, Feb. 22, 1700. 

Sarj. and Ensign John Lakin* 
and Mary. 
Sarah, born Feb. 4, 1661. 
William " May 12, 1664. 
Abigail " 13 d. 1 ra. 1666-7. 
Joseph, " April 14, 1670. 



APPENDIX. 



411 



Benjamin, born Nov. 6, 1(>72. 
Josiah, " 14cl.7in. 1G75. 

* Died, March 21, 1G97. 

William Laki?«* and Eliza- 
beth. 

William, born Sept. 2, IGSO, 

[died April 14,1755. 
Hannah, " Feb. (i, J (594. 
Lydia, " Jan. 14, 1697. 
John, " March 31, 1700. 

Isaac, " Dec. 11, 1702. 

* Died, March 18, 1735. 

Joseph Lakin* and Abigail. 
Joseph, born May 4, 1G9G, 

[died Aug. 19, 1743. 
Abigail, " July 20, 1G98. 
Jacob, " Dec. 7, 1700. 
Mary, " April 12, 1703. 
Lydia, " March 15, 1707. 
* Died, April 1, 1747. 

Abraham Lakin and Abigail. 
Abraham, born Dec. 15, 1701. 
Abigail, " April 9, 1704. 
Ebenezer, « July 19, 1707. 
Samuel, " April 6, 171.3, 

Josiah Lakin and Lucy. 
(Married Dec. 12, 1704.) 
Sarah, born May 12, 1705. 
Eunice, " Oct. 7, 1707. 
Jane, " Dec. 25, 1710. 

Mary, " Feb. 26, 1718-19. 

Esther, " May 30, 1721. 

Benjamin Lakin and Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth, born Aug. 23, 1707. 
Benjamin, " Sept. .5, 1709. 



Ruth, 
Jane, 
Martha, 
Rachel, 



May 12. 1711. 
Oct. 28, 1713. 
Oct. 2, 1715. 
May 8, 1717. 



Jonathan Lakin and Wid. Sa- 
rah Corey of Concord. 
(Married March 24, 1712-13.) 
Lydia, 
Mary, 
Jonathan, " April 28, 1719. 



James Lakin and Elizabeth 
Williams. 

(Married Feb. 12, 1717-18.) 

James, born Aug. 21, 1718. 

Robinson, " Feb. 17, 1720. 

Ambrose, " April 30, 1722. 

Elizabeth, « Aug. 12, 1724. 

Hannah, " Sept. 15, 1726. 

Nathaniel, « Dec. 13, 1728. 

Susanna, " Sept. 24, 1731. 

Mary, " April 24, 1734. 

Sybil, " Jan. 2, 1737. 

John Lakin* and Sarah, Lydia 
Parker. 

(Married Lydia, October 27, 1729.) 

Sarah, born March 3, 1724. 



John, 


u 


Oct. 26, 1730, of 

Lydia. 


Lydia, 


(( 


Jan. 3, 1734. 


Sybil, 


(( 


Oct. 16, 1739. 


Hannah, 


u 


Aug. 24, J743. 


Joseph, 


if 


Nov. 23, 1746. 


Eunice, 


(( 


Aug. 19. 1750. 


David, 


(( 


Oct. 10, 1753. 

[died March 3, 184G. 




* Died Jan. 16, 1770. 



born Mar. 29, 1715-16. 



Isaac Lakin and Elizabeth 
Shattuck. 

(Married Jan. 2, 1725-6.) 

Isaac, born Dec. 6, 1727. 

Josiah, " April 9, 1730. 
Simeon, " Nov. 24, 1732. 
Sarah, " Oct. 22, 1735. 
Levi, " Jan. 7, 1747. 

Jacob Lakin and Eunice Lakin. 

(Married Jan. 28, 1729-30.) 
Eunice, born Jan. 23, 1730-1. 

William Lakin and Miriam. 

William, born May 22, 1732. 
j Oliver, " Feb. 24, 1733-4. 

Gabriel, " June 22, 1736. 
i Lemuel, " May 13, 1739. 

[died at Lake George, 
I Oct. 8, 1756. 



412 



GROTON. 



Mary, born April 25. ") 
Elizabeth, " Oct. 12. | 
Jonathan, " Sept. 24. )- ^'ear 
Abigail, « Feb. 24. | '""' °'^- 
Miriam, " March,!. J 

Ebenezer Lakin and Lydia La- 
kin. 

(Married Jan. 13, 1731-2) 
Lydia, born Aug. 5, 1732. 
Abigail, " Sept. 3, 173(3. 
Phebe, " Sept. 12, 1738. 

Robinson Lakin and Hannah 

Dodge. 

(Married April 15, 1746.) 

Anna, born .Tan. 16, 1746. 

James, " June 2, 1749. 

Elizabeth, June 2, 1751. 

Simon Lakin and Hannah But- 
ler. 

(Married November 7, 1734.) 
Simon, born July .^, 1736. 
Hannah, " March 18, 1738-9. 

Simeon Lakin and Mart. 
Mary, born May 31, 1752. 
Elizabeth, " Dec. 10, 1753, or 
1754. 
Sarah, « Nov. 15, 1756. 



Isaac L 


\KIN 


and Mart Law 




rence. 


Molly, 


born May 5, 1755. 


Isaac, 


(( 


Mar. 1, 1758. 


Eunice, 


n 


July 27, 1760. 


Naomi, 


li 


April 13, 1762. 


Rachel, 


(k 


Oct. 12, 1764. 


David, 


u 


May 15, 1767. 


James, 


li 


Nov. 13, 1769. 


Elizabeth, 


(( 


Nov. 19, 1771. 


Lemuel, 


(( 


Oct. 9, 1773. 


Jonas, 


u 


July 16,1776. 


Sybil, 


(( 


May 20, 1780. 



Ebenezer, born April 13, 1765, 

[died March 13, 1766. 
" Feb. 3, 1767. 
" March 25, 1772. 



Ebenezer, 
Abigail, 
Gabriel, ) 
Mary, ^ 



Sept. 26, 1779. 



William Lakin and Anna 
Gragg. 
(MarriedFeb. 2, 1758.) 
William, 



Ann, 

Lemuel, 

Robert, 

Jonas, 

Joel, 



born Oct. 11, 1758. 

" Feb. 26, 1761. 

" Jan. 9, 1763. 

" Feb. 24, 1765. 

» May 4, 1767. 



Gabriel Lakin and Phebe La- 
kin. 
(Married April 13, 1758.) 
Phebe, born Nov. 26, 1758. 
Lydia, " Aug. 31, 1760. 

Eunice, " Feb. 12, 1763. 



Oliver Lakin and Stbil, 
Oliver, born Feb. 11, 1765. 
Peter, " Oct. 11, 1767. 
John, » June 8, 1782, 

[at Hancock. 
David, " Jan. 2, 1785. 

Ambrose Lakin and Dorothy 

GiLSON. 

(Married, Jan. 15, 1752.) 
Susanna, born Oct. 8, 1753. 
Ambrose, " Sept. 22, 1756. 
Abel, " Oct. 15, 1759. 

Molly, " Feb. 22, 1767. 
Thomas, " Sept. 3, 1770. 

Jonathan Lakin and Jemima 
Williams. 
(Married, Aug. 1, 17G8.) 
Jemima, born June 22, 1770. 
Miriam, " March 21, 1773. 

Samuel Larrabee and Anna. 

Stephen, born Aug. 4, 1747. 
Anna, " April 28, 1750. 
Samuel, " Aug. 1, 1752. 

John Laughton and Jane. 

John, born Jan. 24, 1767. 
Rebecca, " Feb. 17, 1769. 
Thomas, " April 21, 1771. 
Oliver, " Oct. 24, 1773. 

Molly, " Sept. 28, 1776. 



APPENDIX. 



413 



John Lawrence, Sen.* and Eliz- 
ABETH,f Susanna Batchei.er.| 

(Married Susanna, Nov. 2, 1664, at 
Charlestown.) 

1 John, born 14d. Im. 1G35, at 
VVatertown. 
15d. 8m. 1639, do. 
30d. 3m. 1643, do. 
[died younof, do. 
16d. 5m. 1645, do. 
10d.llm.1647, do. 

5d.lm.l648-9. do. 



2 Nathaniel, " 

3 Joseph, " 

4 Jonathan, " 

5 Mary, " 

6 Peleg, " 
^ EnoshjOr ? ^^ 

Enoch, \ 

8 Samuel, " 

9 Isaac, " 
10 Elizabeth, " 



3 Eleazer, born Feb. 28, 1674. 

4 Jonathan, » March 29, 1679. 
Oct. 6, 1681. 
Jan. 3, 1686-7, 

[died April 26,1687. 

— ; d. 10 d. 8 m., 
1675, ffit. 1. 



5 Abigail, 

6 Jeremiah, 

Elizabeth- \ 
Lawrence, \ 



do. 

do. 

May 9, 1655, at 

Boston. 

11 Jonathan, " at Watertown. 

12 Zachariah," 9d. Im. 16.^8, do. 

13 Abigail, " Jan. 11, 1666, of 

Susanna, at Groton. 

14 Susanna, " July 3, 1667, do. 

* Died at Groton, July 11, 1667. 
t Died at Groton, Aug. 29, 1663. 
% Died at Charlestown, July 8, 1668. 

II. (1.2) 

Nathaniel Lawrence and Sa- 
rah Moss or Morse of Sud- 
bury, Hannah or Anna. 
(Married Sarah, March 13, 1660-1.) 

1 NathanieljbornApril 4, 1661, at 

Sudbury. 

2 Hannah, « July 3,1664, 

at Groton. 

3 John, " July 29, 1667, 

[d. March 12, 1746, 
at Lexington. 

4 Mary, " March 3,1669-70. 

5 Sarah, " May 16, 1672. 

6 Elizabeth " 6il. 7 m. 1674. 
V Deborah, " Mar. 24, 1683. 

8 Hannah, " April 26, 1687, of 

Hannah. 

9 Mary " Oct. 16, 1690. 
10 Jonathan, " June 14, 1696. 

ir. (1.6) 
Peleg Lawrence and Eliza- 
beth. 

1 Eliab, born Jan. 9, 1669. 

2 Samuel, " Oct. 16,1671. 



II. (1.7) 

Enosh Lawrence * and Ruth 
Shattuck. 

(Married, March 6, 1676-7.) 

1 Nathaniel, born Feb. 21, 1678. 

2 Daniel, " March 7, 1681. 

3 Zachariah, " 16 d. 5 m. 1683. 

4 Jeremiah, " May 1, 1686. 

* Died, Sept. 28, 1744. 

III. (l.2 II. 3) 
John Lawrence* and Anna. 

1 John, born June 10, 1688. 

2 Thomas, " . 

3 Jonathan, " . 

4 William « 1697. 

5 Samuel, « July 9, 1700. 

6 Anna, « 1702. 

7 Isaac, " . 

8 Sarah, « . 

9 Benjamin, baptized May 3, 1713. 
10 Amos, born Feb. 10, 1715-16, 

[baptized Feb. 19, 1715. 

* Died, March 12, 1746. 

The above from records at Lexington. 

III. (l. 6. II. 3) 
Eleazer Lawrence and Mary. 

1 Elizabeth, born Feb. 28, 1699. 

2 Peleg, " June 1, 1701. 

3 Jonathan, " Oct. 4, 1703. 

4 David, " Dec. 26, 1705. 

5 Samuel, « May 22, 1714. 

6 Experience, " June 22, 1719. 

III. (i. " II. 1 ) 

Nathaniel Lawrence and Anwa 

or Hannah. 

Nathaniel, born May 1.3, 1702. 

James, " Aug. 26, 1705. 

Anna, " July 8, 1708. 

Enosh, " Nov. 15, 1710. 

Sarah, " Mar. 1.5, 1713. 

Martha, " Dec. 7, 1715. 



414 



GROTON. 



Joseph, born April 10, 1717-18. 
Benjamin, " Nov. 0, 1720. 
Rebecca, " April 17, 1724. 
Lois, " Sept. 6, 1726. 

Eunice, " July 25, 1728, 

[died Nov. 15, 1747. 

III. (1.7 II. 2) 

Daniel Lawrence and Sarah. 

Daniel, born April 22, 1702. 
Isaac, « Feb. 25, 1704-5. 

III. (i. '^ II. 3) 

Zachariah Lawrence and Abi- 
gail. 

Zachariah, born May 8,1708. 

Ruth, " Sept. 3, 1710. 

Jeremiah, " Dec. 7, 1713. 

Josiah, " July 4, 1715, 

[died Nov. 13, 1717. 

Abigail, " May 16, 1718. 

Elizabeth, " July 31, 1720. 

Josiah, " Oct. 11, 1723. 

Rachel, (no date.) 

IV. (1.2 II. 3 111.2) 

Thomas Lawrence and Pru- 
dence. 

1 Prudence, born Sept. 14, 1715. 

2 Mary, » Sept. 7, 1718. 

3 Thomas, " Sept. 3, 1720. 

4 Jonathan, " Sept 2, 1725. 

IV. (l. 2 II. 3 III. 4 ) 

CoL. William Lawrence * and 

Susanna Prescott. f 

(Married June 27, 1722.) 

1 William, born May 7, 1723, 

[died April 11, 1780. 

2 Susanna, " Feb. 5, 1725-6. 

3 Anna, " Jan. 24, 1727-8. 

4 Abel, " Feb. 25, 1729, 

[died Sept. 20, 1770. 

5 Sarah, " Mar. 12, 1732, 

[died Aug. 28, 1778. 
ePhebe, " Sept. 20, 1734. 

* Died May 19, 1764. 
t Died Sept. 10, 1771. 



IV. (l. 2 II. 3 III. 10 ) 

Amos Lawrence * and Abigaijl 

Abbott.! 
(Married Mov. 7, 1749.) 

1 Amos, born Sept 9, 1750. 

2 Nehemiah, " Jan. 14, 1752. 

3 Samuel, " April 24, 1754. / 

4 Asa, " June 1, 1756, 

[died Nov. 6, 1759. 

* Died June 20, 1785. 
t Died January 6, 1784. 

IV. (l. 6 II. 3 jii, 2) 
Peleg Lawrence and Ruth. 

1 Oliver, born March 18, 1728-9. 

2 Ruth, " Jan. 28, 1730-1. 

3 Mary, " March 23, 1733. 

4 Ephraim, " March 31, 1735. 

5 Asa, " June 14, 1737. 

6 Sarah, « July 24, 1739. 

IV. (l. 6 11. 3 III. 3 ) 

Jonathan Lawrence and Try- 

PHENA. 

Jonathan, born Aug. 27, 1728. 

Isaac, " May 19, 1731. 

Abel, " July 16, 1733. 

Tryphena, " Sept. 26, 1735. 

Betty, " Feb. 24, 1737. 

Olive, " May 19, 1740. 

Peter, " Oct. 17, 1742. 

Abigail, " July 26, 1745. x 

IV. (l. 7 II. 1 III. 1 ) 

Nathaniel Lawrence Jr. and 
Dorothy Chamberlin. 
(Married March 24, 1729.) 
Dorothy, born Feb. 8, 1729-30. 
Nathaniel, " May 24, 1732. 
Thomas, " Aug. 18, 1734. 
Isaac, " Jan. 8, 1736-7. 

Abigail, " June 21, 1739. 
John, " Nov. 13, 1741. 

IV. (1.7 II. 1 ,11.2) 

James Lawrence and Mary 
Martin. 
(Married Feb. 20, 1732-3 ) 
Mary, born March 17, 1734. 
James, » April 11, 1736. 
Lemuel, " June 1, 1745. 
Benjamin, " Oct. 19, 1747. 



APPENDIX. 



415 



IV. (i. 7 II. 1 in, 4 ) 

Enosh Lawrence and Sarah 
Stevens. 
(Married January 29, 1733-4.) 
Samuel, born Sept. 12, 1734. 
Richard, « July 15, 1736. 
July 24, 1738. 
Aug. 6. 1740. 
July 16, 1742. 
Mar. 23, 1744. 



Enosh, 

Sarah, 

Lydia, 

Stephen, 

Daniel, I 

Lois, 



Mar. 28, 1746. 



[Daniel died Oct. 30, 1747. 
Hannah, born April 12, 1748. 

Benjamin Lawrence and Re- 



Rebekah, 

Benjamin, 

Anna, 

Margaret, 

Sarah, 

Phebe, 

Ruth, 

Rachel, 

Deborah, 

Salmon, 



BEKAH. 

born Jan. 10, 

" Sept. 1, 

" Nov. 14, 

" Jan. 3, 

« April 2, 

« Oct. 19, 

" Jan. 3, 

« Mar. 16, 

« July 1, 

" April 23, 



1744. 
1746. 
1748. 
1751. 
1753. 
1755. 
1758. 
1760. 
1762. 
1765. 



Joseph Lawrence and Eliza- 
beth. 
Elizabeth, born Oct. 11, 1739. 
Zeruiah, " March23, 1741. 
Anna, " Dec. 1, 1743. 

Lucy, " May 7, 1748. 

Vid. Pepperell. 

Zachariah Lawrence, Jr. and 
Sarah Lawrence. 
(Married Dec. 5, 173t.) 

Sarah, born Oct. 2, 1735, 

[died May 20, 1738. 

Sarah, « April 7, 1738. 

Daniel, " Feb.24, 1740-L 

Jeremiah Lawrence and Eliza- 
beth Chamberlin. 
(Married March 23, 1736-7.) 
Abigail, born Aug. 16, 1738, 

[died Sept. 17, 1738. 
Abigail, " Aug. 22.1739. 
Mary, « Jan. 8, 1743-4. 

[died Jan. 27, 1743-4. 



Elizabeth, born May 9, 1745. 
Jeremiah, " July 30, 1750. 
Esther, " Sept. 9, at Pep- 
[perell. 

Thomas Lawrence and Sarah 
Houghton. 
(Married July 3, 1744.) 
Edmund, born April 14, 1745. 
Sarah, " Feb. 20, 1747. 
Alice, " Sept. 13, 1749. 
Maria, " April 5, 1752. 
Thomas, « Dec. 25, 1757. 

V. (i. 2 II. 3 III. 2 ,v. 4 ) 
Jonathan Lawrence and Es- 



Mary, born 

Esther, 

Prudence, 

Sarah, 

Jonathan, 

Thomas, 

Anna, 

Levi, 

Abigail, 

William, 

Asa, 

Joel, 



Jan. 21, 
Dec. 15, 

Nov. 30, 
May 30, 
Oct. 15, 
Jan. 15, 
[died Jan. 
Jan. 18, 
Aug. 14, 
Dec. 13, 
[died 
Dec. 4, 
March 13, 
July 21, 



1744. 

174-. 

1748. 

1751. 

1753. 

1756, 

24, 1756. 

1757. 

1759. 

1761, 

June 3d. 
1762. 
1765. 
1767. 



Isaac Lawrence and Mary. 



Isaac, born 
Benjamin, " 
Mary, " 
Dorothy, " 
Eunice, " 
Nathaniel, " 
Lydia, " 
Daniel, " 
Martha, " 
Anna, " 
Susanna, •' 



Oct. 30, 1759. 
July 15, 1761. 
Sept. 3, 1763. 
July 29, 1766. 
April 9, 1767. 
July 29, 1769. 
April 21, 1772. 
Sept. 14, 1774. 
Nov. 3, 1777. 
Jan. 2, 1781. 
May 13, 1783. 



Samuel Lawrence and Re- 
bekah. 

Rebekah, born March 2, 1763. 
Hannah, " Dec. 26, 1765. 
Jabez, « March 19, 1767. 



416 



GROTON. 



Samuel, born Feb. 23, 1769. 

Oliver, " Aug. 17, 1770. 

Bridget, " May 3, 1774. 

Abijah, « July 6, 1777. 

V. (l. 2 11,3 1,1.4 IV. 4) 

Abel Lawrence and Mary 

BULKLEY. 

(Married, Nov. 14, 1751 ) 

^^if^'Uorn, Oct. 14, 1752. 
John, ^ ' ' 

[Abel died July 14, 1753. 

Abel, born July 31, 1754. 

Mary, " July 12, 1757. 

V. (l. 6 11, 3 ,11, 2 ,v, 5 ) 

Capt Asa Lawrence and Abi- 
gail. 

Rogers, born March 6, 1764. 

Elizabeth, « Sept. 4, 1758. 

[died June 28, 1785. 

Rowland, " March 25, 1763, 

[died June 17, 1812. 

Ephraim, " . 

Didamia, " Aug. 24, 1771, 

[died Oct. 18, 1778. 

Philomela," Oct. 22,1773, 

[died Aug. 18, 1775. 

Horatio-Gates, June 11,1778, 

[died Oct. 28, 1778. 

Abigail, born . 

Asa, " . 

V. (1.2 II. 3 III. 10 IV. 2) 

Nehemiah Lawrence* and 
Esther. 
Sally, born April 3, 1775. 
Polly, " Nov. 4, 1777. 
Esther, " Nov. 8, 1780. 
Sukey, " Sept. 22, 1782. 
* Died, July 13, 1786. 

V. (l. 2 II. 3 III. 10 IV. 1 ) 
Amos Lawrence, Jr.* and 

BETTT.f 

Amos, born Sept. 30, 1773. 

[died Oct. 4, 1773. 
Abigail, " Oct. 9, 1774. 

[died Aug. 13, 1775. 



Amos, born July 10, 1776. 

[died April 17, 1822. 
Abigail, " April 27, 1778. 
Asa, « July 21, 1780. 
Betsey, " June 24, 1782. 

* Died, May 1, 1798. 

t Died, July 24, 1822, »t. 72. 



V. (1.2 II. 3 II,, 10 IV. 3) 

Lieut. Samuel Lawrence* and 

Susanna Pakrer-j 
Luther, born Sept. 28, 1778. 

[died April 17, 1839. 
Samuel, " July 2, 1781. 

[died May 21. 1796. 
William, " Sept. 7, 1783. 
Amos, " April 22, 1786. 
Susan, «' May 24, 1788. 
Mary, " Nov. 12, 1790, ' 

[married Saml. Woodbury. 
Abbott, born Dec. 16, 1792, 

[married Katharine Bigelow. 
Eliza, born March 13, 1796, 

[married Dr. Joshua Green. 
Samuel, born Jan. 15, 1801. 

* Died, Nov. 8, 1827, a?t. 73. 
t Died, May 2, lS4o, at. 89. 

Samuel Leamond and Mary. 
Samuel, born 29 d. 2 m. 1667. 



Ebenezer Lewis* and Sarah 
Bennett. 
(Married, Aug. 21, 1773.) 
William, born March 25, 1774. 
Sarah, " Feb. 26, 1776. 

* Died at the hospital at Cambridge, 
Jan. 10, 1776, aet. 25. 

William Little and Elizabeth. 

Elizabeth, born Nov. 12, 1752. 
William, " April 11, 1754. 
Rebekah, " March 3, 1757, at 
Shirley. 



William Longley, Sen.* 
* Died, Nov. 29, 1680. 



APPENDIX. 



417 



John Longley and Hannah. 
William, born March 12, 1669. 
Margaret, " Oct- 28, 1671. 
Mary, " 10 d. 11 m. 1673. 

William Longley and Lydia, 
Deliverance i^Bjts«. 
(Married, May 15, 1672 ) 
Lydia, born Id. 1 m. 1673-4. 
William, " 17 d. 12 m. 1675. 
Joseph, " Jan. 6, 1686-7. 

John Longley* and Sarah Pres- 

C0TT,f Deborah Houghton. 
Sarah, born March 28, 1706. 
William, " Feb. 13, 1708. 
John, » Jan. 6, 1710. 
Jonas « Jan. 22, 1712. 
Lydia, " June 26, 1716, mar- 
- — ~ ried Amos Farnsworth. 

Zachariah, born Aug. 30, 1721, of 
Deb. ; died Sept. 2, 1723. 
Joseph, born Sept. IS, 1724, died 
at Greenbush, of wounds, in 1758. 
Jonathan, born Nov. 18, 1726. 
Zachariah, " June 7, 1729. 
Nathaniel, " Sept. 6, 1731. 
Robert, " March 11, 1733-4. 
* Died, May 25, 1730, oet. 67. 
t Died, March 8, 1718. 

WirLLiAM Longley and Mary. 
William, born Jan. 24, 1734. 



Mary, 


i( 


Oct. 17, 1736. 


William, 


u 


May 23, 1738. 


Sarah, 


(( 


Feb. 18, 1739-40 


Lydia, 


(( 


Dec. 31, 1743. 


Israel, 


« 


Oct. 12, 1745. 


Nehemiah 


(f 


Sept. 4, 1747. 


Mary, 


(i 


Nov. 4, 1749. 


Joshua, 


(( 


July 23, 1751. 




Vid 


in Shirley. 



Joseph Longley and Mary. 
Joseph, born Aug. 6, 1744. 
Edmund, " Oct. 31, 1746, 

[died Nov. 29, 1842. 
Phebe, » Nov. 26, 1748. 
John, " Feb. 17, 1750. 
Vid. in Shirley. 

53 



Zachariah Longley and Jemima 
Moors. 

(Married, March 7, 1753.) 

Jemima, born Feb. 10, 1754. 

Zachariah, " Nov. 6, 1755. 

Susanna, " Jan. 8, 1758. 

Lucy, " May 29, 1760. 

Asa, " July 19, 1762. 

Deborah, " June 5, 17(54. 

Lydia, " June 4, 17()6. 

John, " April 13, 1768. 

Sarah, " Aug. 24, 1770. 

Joseph, <' Jan. 6, 1773. 

Benjamin, " Dec. 26, 1775, 

The following are true copies, 
verbatim et literatim, from the 
church and town records: 

"1742 Dec. 28 Priamus, Capt. 
Boyden's negro manservant to 
Margr't. molatto formerly servant 
to S. S. both of Groton." 

" Zelah Lew, son of primus Lew, 
Negro and Margret Jiis wife born 
at Groton Nov. 5 1743." 

"phebe Lew, Daughter of pri- 
mus Lew, Negro and margret his 
wife born July 5 1745." 

" Peter Lue son of primus Lue, 
Negro and margret his wife bora 
July 5 174-." 

" Lucy Lew Daughter of primus 
Lew and marget his wife was born 
July 8 174-." 

William Martin died March 26, 
1672, set, about 76. Mary, his 
wife, died Aug. 14, 1669. 

Benjamin Martin and Sarah. 

Mary, born April 30, 1713. 

Elizabeth, " March 30, 1716. 

Sarah, " June 6, 1718. 

Anna, " Feb. 26, 1719-20. 

Benjamin, " May 30, 1722. 

Bridget, « May 10, 1725. 

Alathea, " Jan. 24, 1727-8. 

Esther, " July 28, 1730. 

Abigail, " Sept. 27, 1733. 



418 



GROTON. 



born Oct. 13, 1759. 



Joseph Metcalf and Margaret, 

Ezekiel- 

Shattuck, 

Samuel, " March 15, 1761. 

Margaret, " March 19, 17(i3. 

Sarah, " Sept. 7, ]7()5. 

Thankful, « Aug. 14, 17G7. 

Mr. John Miller, Minister of 
God's holy word, died June 12, 
1663. 

Daniel Mixer and Jddith. 
Isaac, born Aug. 28, 1701. 

Abraham Moors and Elizabeth 

GiLSOiV. 

(Married, Nov. 21, 1717.) 
Elizabeth, born Feb. 5, 1719. 



Timothy, 


" Sept. 11, 1720. 


John, 


" Oct. 14, 1722, 




[died Mar. 28, 1746. 


Isaac, 


" Dec. 24, 1724, 




[died Feb. 8, 1745. 


Abraham, 


" March 25, 1727, 




[died Aufif. 15, 1738. 


Jonathan, 


" Feb. 13, 1728-9. 


Jemima, 


" Nov. 12, 1732. 


Susanna, 


" Auo^. 4, 1735. 


Joseph, 


" May 30, 1738, 



[died July 25, 1820, a3t. 82. 

Timothy Moors and Ltdia. 
Elizabeth, born July 6, 1745. 



Lydia, 
John, 
Lydia, 
Anna, 

Molly, 



Timothy, 

Abraham, 
Sarah, 
Jemima, 
Sybil, 



Aug. 12, 1746. 

" Dec. 25, 1747. 

» March 10, 1750. 

" Aug. 14, 1751. 

" April 13, 1753, 
[died May 13, 1847, 
oldest person in town. 

" Feb. 2, 1755, 
[died 1846. 

" Aug. 1, 17.57. 

" Nov. 19, 1759. 

" Dec. 1, 1761. 

" Sept. 6, 1764. 



Joseph Morse and Susanna. 
Joseph, born Nov. 11, 1667. 
Samuel, " Sept. 4, 1670. 
Mary, " Feb. 11, 1672. 
Hannah, " 7 d. 2 m. 1674. 



Jonathan Morse, died July 31, 
l(i86. 

Dr. Benjamin Morse* and 

MARY.f 
* Died. IMav^l, 18.33, tet. 93. 
t Died, Dtc IG, 1835, tet. 9-1. 

William Nevers and Rebekah. 

Rebekah, born Aug. 20, 1750. 
Ruth, « May 31, 1753. 

Samuel Nichols or Nickles and 

Mary. 
Betty, born Aug. 9, 1742. 
Samuel, « July 16, 1744. 
Thomas, " April 8, 1751. 

John Nutting and Sarah. 

Sarah, born May 29, 1663. 
Ebenezer, " 23 d. 8 m. 1666. 
Jonathan, " 17 d. 8 m. 1668. 

James Nutting and Lydia. )>^ ^ Ij 



Sarah, 
Lydia, " 
.loanna, " 
Ruth, " 

Elizabeth, " 
William, " 



born March 11, 1681 

" June 3, 1686, 

" Feb. 

April 

Nov. 



21, 1690-1. 
17, 1693. 
5, 1698. 
died June 12, 
1712, 86 1. 23. 



John Nutting and Mary, Mary 
Parker. 

(M.arried Mary, lid. 10m. 1674; Mary 
i'arker,Jan.3, 1707-8.) 

Ebenezer, born Nov. 20, 1686. 
Jonathan, " July 7, 1689. 

Jonathan Nutting and Mary 
Green.* 
William, born Nov. 20, 1712. 
Sarah, » Feb. 92, 1714-15. 
Mary, " Nov. 19, 1718. 

Jemima, " Sept. 19, 1720. 
Lydia, '• Nov. ^0, 1723. 
Deborah, " Sept. 30, 1728. 
Anna, " May 22, 1730. 
* Died, Sept. 24, 1778. 



APPENDIX. 



419 



Eeenezer N 

Sii 

(Married 
James, born 
Ruth, » 

Abigail, " 
Ebenezer, " 
Lydia, " 
David, " 
Jacob, " 

Benjamin, " 
Phebe, '' 



UTTiNG and Ruth 

ATTUCK. 

Dec. 13, 1711.) 
April 10, 1713. 
May 12, 1715. 
Feb. 8, 1717-18. 
Nov. 24, 1719. 
April 28, 1721. 
Aug. 20, 1724. 
Feb. 9, 1727-8. 
Dec. 30, 17;30. 
May 28, 1737. 



Isaac Nutting and Lypia Nut- 
ting. 
(Married July 13, 173n-7.) 
Hepzibah, born March 21, 1737. 



Isaac, 

Ruth 

Eleazer, 

Sybil, 

Jacob, 

Thomas, 



March 29, 1739. 



April 

Jan. 

Feb. 

Jan. 

July 



7, 1741. 
6, 1743. 

28, 1745. 
23, 1747. 

29, 1750. 



Daniel Nutting and Hannah. 
Hannah, born IMay 28, 1714. 



Daniel, 

Betty, 

Eunice, 

Ezekiel, 

Samuel, 



July 10, 1716. 

" Mar. 20, 1718. 

« Feb. 23, 1719. 

" Feb. 13, 1721. 

" Feb. 27, 1723. 



Eleazer Nutting and Abigail 
Davis. 
(.Married June 23, 1719.) 
Abigail, born May 6, 1720. 
Patience, " Aug. 2, 1722. 
Eleazer, " Jan. 21, 1725-6. 
Sarah, " Oct. 4, 1734. 

Ezekiel Nutting and Abigail. 
Ezekiel, born April 22, 1751. 
Abigail, " Oct. 10, 1753, 

[died July 10, 1847. 
Esther, « Nov. 13, 1759. 
Hannah, " June 6, 1761. 

Ephraim Nutting and Jerusha 

Parker. 
Jonathan, born May 19, 1755. 
Relief, " Sept. 28, 1758. 

Nathan, " Mar. 16, 1761. 
Ephraim, " Aug. 18, 1765. 

Daniel Nutting, Jr. and Eliza- 
beth. 

Simeon, born July 6, 1747. 
Mary, " April 10, 1749. 

Elizabeth, " Mar. 3, 1752. 
Eunice, " May 7, 1754. 
Daniel, " May 23, 1756. 
Abel, " Sept. 13, 1758. 



John Nutting, Jr. and Mary. 
Ephraim, born Sept. 1, 1728. 
Joseph, " Feb. 15, 1730. 
Mary, « Jan. 10, 1732. 

Susanna, " Nov. 12, 1734. 
John, " Aug. 7, 1737. 

Ephraim Nutting, Jr. and Phebe 
Nutting. 
(.Married Feb. 21, 1759.) 
Phebe, born Feb. 12, 1760. 
Sybil, " May 19, 1762. 

Nathaniel Nutting and Eliza- 
beth Page. 
(Married March 26, 1731.) 
Elizabeth, born Dec. 6, 1732. 



Nehemiah, 

Sarah, 

Hannah, 

Nathaniel, 

Prudence, 

Jonas, 

Miriam, 

Amos, 

Susanna, 

Elizabeth, 

David, 



Nov. 26, 1734. 
May 14, 1736. 
Sept. 4, 1738. 
May 12, 1740. 
June 12, 1742. 

2.5, 1744. 

Mar. 7, 1745. 
Sept. 5, 1746. 
July 17, 1748. 
June 9, 17.50. 
Mar. 10, 1751. 



William Nutting * and Joan 

BoYNTON.f 
(Married Jan. 18, 1737-8.) 
Jane, born April 1, 1741. 
Jonathan, " Aug. 25, 1743. 
Ann, " Sept. 27, 1745. 

Sarah, " Feb. 9, 1747. 
Eunice, " April 14, J 750. 
William, " July 10, 17.52, 

[died April 18, 1832. 
Mary, " Feb. 27, 1755. 



420 



GROTON. 



Abel, born April 29, 1757, 

[died June 6, 1759. 

Abel, " Oct. 23, 1761. 

Molly, " July 21, 1764, 

[died Feb. 10, 1766. 

* Died June 2, 177(3. 
t Died Feb. 7, 1803. 

JosiAH Nutting and Mart 
Blood. 
(.Married Dec. 18, 1743.) 
Mary, born April 8, 1745. 
Lucy, " Nov. 5, 1746. 
Josiah, " Feb. 16, 1748 
Hannah, " Nov. 17, 1750. 

John Nutting, 3d, and Eliza- 
beth Nutting. 
(Married Oct. 3, 1759.) 
Mary, born April 26, 1760, 

[died July 8, 1765. 
Joseph, " Mar. 12, 1762. 
Elijah, " Feb. 16, 1764. 

Thomas, " May 18, 1766. 
Mary, " Jan. 25, 1768. 

John, " July 11,1770. 

Mercy, " Mar. 23, 1772. 
Josiah- Woods, Oct. 12, 1774. 
Amos, " Augf. 1, 1776. 

Elizabeth, " July 20, 1778. 
Elisha, " Feb. 14, 1781. 
Olive, " Oct. 22, 1784. 

John Page and Faith Dunster. 

(Married May 12, \G6i.) 
John, born Dec. 10, 1669. 
Samuel, " June 4, l(i72. 
Mary, " 9d. 11m. 1674. 

Samuel Page and Martha. 
Elizabeth, born Mar. 23, 1719. 
Daniel, " Aug. 10, 1722. 

Jonathan Page * and Mahy. 

A daughter died Dec. 28, 1706, 3 
days old. 
Faith, born Nov. 6, 1707. 
Jonathan, " June 5, 1710. 

[died Aug. 30, 1751. 
John, " Jan. 30, 1712. 

Joseph, " Oct. 22, 1714. 
Mary, " Feb. 20, 1716-17. 



Benjamin, born July 19, 1719. 

Simeon, " Jan. 23, 1722. 

Sarah, « Dec. 10, 1724. 

* Died Oct. 10, 1751, set. 74. 

John Page and Mart Parker. 
(Married Sept. 12, 1733.) 
Molly, born Nov. 15, 1734. 
Submit, " Dec. 25,1736. 
Sybil, " Aug. 28, 1740. 

John, » June 9, 1743. 

Phinehas, " May 24, 1745. 
Lemuel, " Sept. 2, 1747. 
Lucy, " June 1, 1750. 

Emma, " April 12, 1755. 

Joseph Page and Abigail Shed. 

(Married Nov. 21, 1739.) 
Joseph, born Aug. 26, 1740. 
Jonathan, » July 22, 1742. 
Abigail, " Feb. 23, 1743. 
Daniel, " July 18, 1745. 
Susanna, " June 29, 1747. 
Eunice, " July 1, 1749, 

[died July 1.3, 1749. 
Silas, " Aug. 26, 1750. 

Rebekah, " Jan. 22, 1753. 
Maria, " May 17, 1/55. 
Lemuel, " Aug. 14, 1757. 
Prudence, " Mar. 9, 1760. 



Simon Page and Hannah. 


Simon, 


born June C, 1742. 


James, 


" April 22, 1744, 




[died Sept. 23, 1775. 


Hannah 


" May 31,1746. 


Lydia, 


" Dec. 10, 1748. 


Jonas, 


" Sept. 2, 1750. 


Belly, 


" May 22, 1752. 


Abel, 


" Aug. 15, 1759, 




[at Shirley. 


Peter, 


" Sept. 29, 1761, 


[died July 8, 1773 — drowned. 




Vid. Shirley. 


Benjamin Page and Sarah. 


Sarah, 


born Dec. 5, 1750. 


Benjamin, " May 26, 1753. 


Ruth, 


" June 10, 1756. 


Henry, 


" Mar. 18, 1758, 




[died April 18, 1759. 



APPENDIX. 



421 



Daniel Page and Abigail John- 
son. 

(Married Feb. 9, 1768) 
Abigail, born July 11, 1768. 
Sarah, " Feb. 26, 1770. 
Ephraim, " Mar. 4, 1772. 

Silas Page and Eunice. 
Silas, born May 4, 1774. 
Richard, « Jan. 21, 1776. 

Joseph Page, Jr., and Eunice. 
Luther, born Nov. 21, 1771, 

[died Aug. 25, 1775. 
Lucy, " Nov. 6, 1778, 

[died May 14, 1790. 

Robert Parish and Mart. 
Mary, born Jan. 5, 1667. 
Anna, " Sept. 2, 1669. 
Robert, " Nov. 20, 1670. 
Anna, « Sept. 10, 1772. 
Mary, « 8 d. 7 m. 1674. 
Thomas, died April, 1668. 

John Parish and Mary. 
Lydia, born April 20, 1686-7. 
Elizabeth, " Mar. 19, 1690-1. 

James Park and Jane Riches. 
(Married Oct. 11, 1739) 
William, born April 14, 1740. 

John Park and Jean Stewart. 
Jean, born Nov. 16, 1767. 
Elizabeth, " Mar. 29, 1770. 
Stuart-James, Feb. 7, 1773. 

Mart, wife of Thomas Parish, 
died 8 d. 8 m. 1674, ajt. 2-3. 



Thomas Park and Rosanna 

COAN. 

Mary, born Feb. 20, 1769. 
James, '• Sept. 28, 1770. 
Anna, " Nov. 2,1772. 



Margaret, born Jan. 27, 1775. 
Thomas, " Mar. 21, 1777. 
William, 
Elizabeth, 



Aug. 8, 1779. 



James Parker and Elizabeth 

Long, of Woburn, Eunice, Wid. 

(Married 23 d. 3 m. 1645.) 

1 Elizabeth, born April 12, 1645, 

[at Woburn. 



Anne, " 


5d. 11m. 1646. 


2 Hannah, " 


Jan. 5, 1647. 


[at Woburn ; 


m. Nath'l Blood. 


3 John, " 


Feb. 28, 1649. 


4 Joseph, " 


1651. 


5 James, " 


m. Mary Parker 


6 Josiah, " 


1655, 



[m. Eliz. Saxon, of Boston. 
■^ Samuel, " m. Abigail Lakin. 

8 Joshua, " Mar. 13, 1658, 

[at Chelmsford ; m. Abi- 
gail Shattuck. 

9 Zachariah, « Jan. 14, 1659, 

[at Chelmsford. 

10 Eleazer, « Nov. 9, 1660, 

[at Groton. 

11 Sarah, « Dec. 12, 1697, 

[of Eunice ; m. Jer. Shattuck. 



Joseph Parker and Elizabeth, 
Hannah. 

1 Sarah, born Nov. 16, 1666, 

[died Sept. 15, 1704. 

2 Elizabeth, " Aug. 31, 1679. ^ 

3 Simon, " Aug. 27, 1687. jj 

4 Joseph, " Mar. 1,1689, 

[of Hannah. 

5 Benjamin, " Dec. 3, 1691, 

[died Oct. 29, 1769. 

6 John, " Aug. 26, 1695. 



James Parker and Mart Par- 
ker. 
(Married Dec. 11, 1673.) 

1 Mary, born Sept. 20, 1680. 

2 Samuel, " Sept. 22, 1682. 

3 Phinehas. 

4 James, " Mar. 24, 1686-7. 

5 Abraham, « Jan. 4, 1690. 



^r^- 



422 



GROTON. 



n. (1.6) 

JosiAH Parker and Elizabeth 
Saxon, of Boston. 

Elizabeth, born Aug. 31, 1679. 
John, " April 13, 1G81. 

Sarah, " May 1, 1G83. 

II. (1.7) 

Samuel Parker and Abigail 
Lakin. 

1 James, born April 28, 1086, 

[married Abigail Prescott. 

2 Robert, born April 2, 1GS8. 

3 Samuel, " ; married 

Deborah Prescott. 

4 John, " ; married Joan- 

na Ames. 

5 Abigail, " Aug. 22, 1696, 

[married Thos. Tarbell. 

6 Jonathan, born ; married Sa- 

rah ; both died Sept. 21, 1723. 

7 Rachel. 

8 Eunice, born Mar. 11,1705, 

[married Josiah Boy den, Jan. 12, 
1730. 

II. (1.8) 

Joshua Parker and Abigail 
SiiATTUCK of Watertown. 

Abiel born ; a daughter . 

H. (1.9) 

Zachariah Parker and Eliza- 
beth. 

Elizabeth, born April 10, 1686. 
Benjamin, " Aug. 19, 1690. 

II. (l 10) 
Eleazer Parker and Mary. 
Anna, or ) ^^^^_^ ^ -^ j^ j^g^^ 
Hannah, ^ ' ' 

Eleazer, " Sept. 2.5, 1695. 
Mary, " July 21, 1()97. 

Zachariah, " Jan. 29, 169!». 
Thomas, " Dec. 7, 1700. 
Mehitabel, " June 6, 1702. 
Elizabeth, " May 21, 1704, 
[married Samuel Fiske, 



III. (i. 4 II. 3) 
Joseph Parker and Abigail 
Sawtell. 
(Marriod Jan. 24-, 1715-16.) 
Mary, born Oct. 12, 1716. 
Josiah, " Jan. 3, 1717, 
Obadiah, " Sept. 11, 1719. 
Joseph, " April 16, 1721. 
Abigail, " Feb. 27, 1722-3. 
Hannah, « Oct. 14, 1724, 

[died Dec. 5, 1731. 
Timothy, " June 5, 1726. 
Nehemiah, " Dec. 2, 1727. 
Joshua, " Jan. 25, 1729-30. 
Ephraim, " Mar. 25, 1232. 
Sarah, " June 15, 1734. 
Tryphena, " April 15, 1736. 
Sybil, " Mar. 5, 1737. 

Zachariah, " June 28, 1740, 
[died Aug. 27, 1740. 

III. (l. 4 II. 4) 

Benjamin Parker * and Mary 
Sawtell. t 
(Married Oct. 23, 1718.) 
Benjamin, born Aug. 19, 1719. 
Nathaniel, " July 17, 1721. 
Amasa, " Nov. 12, 1722. 

Mary, " May 7, 1728, 

[died Jan. 19, 1736. 
Sarah, " Jan. 27, 1731-2. 

Mary, " Jan. 30, 1737. 

Anna, " July 12, 1748. 

* Died Oct. 29, 17G9. 
] Died June IS, 17G6. 

John Parker and Mary Brad- 
street. 
(Married, Nov. 29, 1715.) 
Gideon, born July 11, 1719. 
Mary, " April 7, 1722. 
Abel, " Jan. 17, 1724. 
Sarah, " April 14, 1726. 
John, " Oct. 13, 1728. 

III. (l. 5 II. 3 ) 

PniNEHAS Parker* and ABiGAiL,f 

Elizabeth. 

1 Phinehas, born Nov. 22, 1709. 

2 Abigail, " Sept. 19, 1711. 

^ Mary, " Jan. 31, 1713-14. 

4 Elizabeth, " Aug. 17, 1715. 



APPENDIX. 



423 



5 Leonard, born June 3,1718. 

6 Sarah, " Nov. 27, 1719. 

7 Esther, " Jan. 23, 1721-2. 
s Eunice, " April 1,1725, of 

Elizabeth. 

* Died, Aug. 13, 174.4. 
t Died, Feb. 4, 172-. 



James Parker and Abigail 
Prescott. 

1 Sybil, born June 18, 1712. 



2 Emma, " 

3 Submit, " 

4 Abigail, 

5 Peter, 

6 Ann, 

7 James, 



Sept. 23, 1713. 
Sept. 10, 1715. 
Mar. 19, 1717. 
Aug. 6, 1719. 
Nov. 16, 1720. 
Feb. 20, 1722-3. 



u 



8 Jonas, " Mar. 25, 1727. 



Samuel Parker and Deborah 
Prescott, Sarah. 

1 Samuel, born Sept. 28, 1715. 

2 Susanna, " April 1, 1717. 

3 Simon, " April 30, 1719. 

4 Rebekah, " Mar.5, 1721-2. 

5 Solomon, " Sept. 26, 1722. > a 

6 Sarah, " Dec. 2, 1725, of 

Sarah. 

7 Jane, " April 27, 1728. 

8 Deborah, « Aug. 25, 1731. 

9 Lemuel, " Feb. 3, 1734-5. 



III. (l. 7 II. 4) 

John Parker and Joanna Ames. 
(Married, May 22, 1719.) 

1 John, born Dec. 12, 1719. 

2 Robert, " Jan. 20, 1720. 



Jerusha, 

Sarah, 

Bulah, 

Jonathan, 

Relief, 

Deborah, 

Oliver, 



June 20, 1725. 
June 8, 1727. 
Oct. 10, 1729. 

Dec. 1, 1732. 

June 4, 1736. 
Feb. 23, 1738. 



in. (1.7 II. 6) 

Jonathan Parker* and Mary 

Pierce.* 

(Married, Oct. 27, 1720.) 

Jonathan, born Jan. 1, 1722. 

* Died, Sept. 21, 1723. 

Nathaniel Parker* and Lydia. 

Sarah, born April 12, 1705. 
Nathaniel, " May 9, 1707. 
William, " July 28, 1709, 

[diedJunel8, 1712. 
Lydia, « Oct. 30, 1711. 
Deliverance, July 28, 1714. 
William, " Nov. 14, 1716. 

* Died, July 6, 1716. Lydia, the 
widow, married Josiah Sawtell, Feb. 10, 
1717-18. 

Isaac Parker and Ruth. 



Isaac, born Mar. 
William, " Aug. 



Thomas, 

Esther, 

Ruth, 



Sept. 
Sept. 
July 



Nathaniel, " Feb 

David, " Feb 

Anna, " Nov. 

Abraham, " Sept. 



7, 1709. 

19, 1710. 
24, 1712. 

24, 1714. 
2, 1716. 

25, 1717-18. 

20, 1719-20. 
9, 1721. 

24, 1726. 



Obadiah Parker and Hannah. 



Abijah, born 
Hannah, " 
Obadiah, « 
Abigail, " 
Oliver, " 
Jacob, " 

Rebekah, « 
Simeon, " 

Elizabeth, " 



Mar. 11, 1727. 
Oct. 31, 1729. 
April 19, 1730. 
Jan, 19, 1731-2. 
Oct. 15, 1733. 
Oct. 10, 1735, 
[died Sept. 18, 1736. 
April 4, 1741. 
Feb. 19, 1742^, 
[died Sept. 1, 1758. 
Jan. 9, 1745. 



Isaac Parker and Mart. 



Mary, 

Isaac, 

Ruth, 

Thomas, 

Rebekah, 

Jacob, 



born Nov. 

" Sept. 

" Jan. 

" Aug. 
May 
April 



17, 1729. 
13, 1730. 
27, 1733-4. 

1, 1736. 
12, 1738. 

9, 1740. 



424 



GROTON. 



Elizabeth, born Feb. 3, 1744. 
Sarah, " Nov. 4, 1746. 

Elijah, " July 4, 1750, 

[at No. 4 

IV. (l. 5 II. 3 III. 1) 

Phinehas Parker, Jr. and Mary 
Kemp. 
(Married Feb. 11,1730-1.) 
Jonathan, born Aug. 17, 17.31. 
Thomas, " Oct. — , 1734. 
Phinehas, « Sept. 22, 173(3. 
Zachariah, " July 24, 1739. 

William Parker and Susanna 
Kemp. 
(Married March 30, 1736.) 
Susanna, born Feb. 10, 1736-7. 
William, " Sept. 28, 1741. 
Sybil, " May 1, 1744. 

Samuel, " Mar. 7, 1746. 
Isaac, " Jan. 22, 1749. 

Levi, " June 25, 1752. 

Susanna, " Oct. 10, 1755. 



Robert Parker and Deborah. 
A son born and died. May 28, 1746. 
Martha, born July 4, 1747. 
A son born and died Apr. 7, 1749. 
Lepha (Relief) Mar. 27, 1750. 
Alice, born Feb. 6, 1752. 
Lucy, « Oct. 19, 1753. 
John, " Aug. 24, 1755. 

Jonathan, " Mar. 27, 1757. 
Benjamin, " Sept. 3, 1758. 
Robert, " Feb. 15, 1760. 
Deborah, " Aug. 26, 1762. 
Susanna, " Mar. 19, 1765. 
Emma, " Nov. 8, 1766. 
A son born and died, Apr. 8, 1769. 

Thomas, Ib-n July 22, 1770. 

JosiAH Parker* and Elizabeth. 
Martha, born Jan. 7, 1737. 
Josiah, " Feb. 13, 1739. 
Elizabeth, " Dec. 28, 1740. 
Joseph, " June 28, 174.3. 
Hannah, " Feb. 28, 1745. 
• Died Aug. 28, 1747. 



IV. (l. 7 II. 3 hi. 1) 

Samuel Parker, Jr. and Mart 
La KIN. 

(Married, March 23, 1738-9.) 
Samuel, born April 7, 1740. 

Nathaniel Parker and Johan- 
na h. 
Nathaniel, born Aug. 27, 1738. 
Elizabeth, » May 9, 1741. 
Lydia, " Mar. 31, 1742. 

IV. (l. 5 II. 3 III. 5 ) 

Leonard Parrer and Abigail. 

1 Leonard, born April 6, 1742. 

" Aug. 31, 1743. 



2 Abigail, 

3 James, 

4 Levi, 

5 Phinehas, 

6 Jonas, 

7 Abigail, ? 

8 Emma, ^ 

9 Sarah, 
1" Sybil, 



Nov. 26, 1744. 
Dec. 28, 1746. 
Sept. 23, 1748. 
June 15, 1750. 

Nov. 14, 1752. 

Mar. 27, 1754. 
Dec. 18, 1755. 



Nathaniel Parker, Jr. and El- 
eanor Walker. 
(Married, May 25, 1741.) 
Nathaniel, born Dec. 2, 1741. 
Sybil, " Oct. 13, 1743. 

Abel, « Nov. 24, 1745. 

David, « Oct. 15, 1747. 

Jonathan Parker and Eleanor 
Hunt. 
(Married, July 12, 1742.) 
Jonathan, born April 19, 1744. 

IV. (l. 7 II. 1 III. 5) 

Peter Parker and Prudence 
Lawrence. 

(Married, March 4, 1741-2 ) 
Eleazer, born April 4, 1743. 
Sybil, « Nov. 6, 1745. 
Peter, " Jan. 15, 1747. 
James, " Aug. 23, 1751. 

IV. (l. 7 II. 3 III. 3) 

Simon Parker and Mary. 
Solomon, born Oct 23, 1742. 
Rebekah, " Jan. 30, 1744. 



APPENDIX. 



425 



Lucy, born Mar. 17, 174G. 
Martha, " Mar. 23, 1748. 
Simon, " Sept. 13, 1754. 



Samuel Pakker an 
Abigail, born June 11, 
Phebe, " Dec. 26, 
Samuel, 
Asa, 

Ebenezer, 
Eunice, 



Nathan, 

Marcy, 

Daniel, 

Lucy, 

Amos, 



Aug. 9, 
Aug. 6, 
July 14, 
April l»i, 
May 6, 
July 3, 
Dec. 16, 
Oct. 25, 
Mar. 1, 



d Abi 
1752. 
1753. 
1755. 
1757. 
17.59. 
1761. 
17(i3. 
1765. 
1766. 
1768. 
1771. 



EL. 

1 bb 

I -J 
I - 

J-" 



Amasa Parker and Sarah. 

Sarah, born Feb. 4, 1755. 
Benjamin, " Aug. 27, 1758. 
Joseph, " Nov. *^0, 1760. 

Nathaniel Parker and Eunice 
Lakin. 
(Married Dec. tH, 1748.) 
Jacob, born Ausr. 25, 1749, 

[died Nov. 5, 1749. 
Jacob-Lakin, " Aug. 30, 1750. 



Eunice, 


(( 


Sept. 


18, 1752. 


Mary, 


(( 




; died May 
30, 1753. 


Winslow, 


(I 


Aug. 


2, 175.5. 


Didamia, 


(( 


July 


19, 17.57. 


Jesse, 


u 


Oct. 


9, 1760. 


Junia, 


(( 


Oct. 


22, 1762. 


Imla, 


a 


Jan. 


12, 176.5. 


Mary, 


a 


Dec. 


12, 1766. 


Eber, 


n 


Feb. 


26, 1770. 


Nathaniel, 


(( 


Dec. 


28, 1771. 



Timothy, born Oct. 26, 1767. 
Sybil, " Sept. 29, 17G9. 

* Died April 5, 1759, set. 33, nearly. 

Oliver Parker and Jane Nut- 
ting. 

(Married Aug. 7, 17.j9 ) 
Oliver, bom Mar. 4, 1760. 
William, « Nov. 24, 1761. 
Stephen, " Feb. 14, 1763. 
Miliil, " Feb. 27, 176.5. 
Henrj^ " Nov. 19, 1766, 

[died iNov. 21, 1766. 
Simon, " Ang.2l, 1767, 
Jane, " Mar. 7, 1769, 

[died Mar. 17, 1769. 

.Iune20, J 770. 

Sept. 28, 1772. 

Feb. 20, 1775. 



Ezekiel, ' 
Jonathan, ' 
Sarah, ' 
David- , 
Hobart, 



Dec. 2, 1779. 



Abel Parker and Esther 
Shattuck,* Sarah. 

(Married Eslher, May 10, ]7o0.) 
Esther, born Sept. 12, 1750. 



Mary, " 


Sept. 


21, 1752. 


Abel, " 


Nov. 


18, 1754. 


John, " 


April 


15, 17.57. 


Abial, " 


Nov. 


2.5, 1762, of 

Sarah. 


Gideon, " 


June 


8, 1764. 


Sarah, " 


April 


18, 1766. 
54 



Oliver Parker and Eunice.* 
Rebekah, born Nov. 22, 1760. 
Eunice, " Dec. 11, 1761. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 23, 1763. 
Simeon, " May 4, )7().5. 
Oliver, " Feb. 4, 1767. 
* Died Feb. 8, nC?. 

Ephraim Parker and Azubah. 
Tryphena, born Aug. 14, 1760. 
Sybil, " May 31, 1762. 

Joshua, " May 26, 1764. 

Ephraim, " June II, 1766. 
Azubah, " Feb. <i, 1768. 

Phinehas, " June 4, 1773. 

Ebenezer Parker and Susanna. 
Calvin, born Sept. 22, 1763. 
Susanna, " Nov. 10, 17(i4. 
Molly, " June 29, 17()8. 
Tilly, " April 22, 1770. 

Joseph Parker and Abigail 
Page. 

(Married May 1, I7(]^ ) 
Maria, born Mar. 7, 176.5, died 

Nov. 2, 1767, at Pepperell. 
Joseph, " Nov. 19, 1766. 
Maria, " Oct. 6, 1766. 



426 



GROTON. 



IV. (l. 7 11. 3 jii. 9 j 

Lemuel Parker and Betty 

Nichols. 

(Married .March 15, I'r.l.) 

Lemuel, born April G, 17(i2. 

Samuel, " Mar. 17, I7G4. 

Sarah, " April 29, 17ti(5. 

Eleazer Parker and Abigail 
Lawrence. 
(Married Jan 22, I7r>7.) 
James, born Oct. 23, 17()7. 
Eleazer, " Feb. 5, 1770. 
Sybil, " July 20, 1772. 
Sarah, " July 23, 1774. 

Samuel Parker and Rebekah 
Hunt. 
(Married Dec. 27, 17f^8.) 
Sybil, born Aug. 23, 1770. 

Peter Parker, Jr.* and Mart. 
Mary, born Dec. 12, 1771. 
Prudence, " Aug. 12, 1774, at 

Shirley. 
Peter, " May 29, 1777. 

* Died Marcli 28, 1777. 

Phinehas Parker* and Relief 
Parker. t 

(Married May 2(3, 1773 ) 
Lefy, (Relief,) born April 10, 177G. 

* Died Jan. IJ, ISOy. 
t Died Aug. 28, 1826. 

Isaac Patch, Jr. and Joanna. 
Isaac, born Feb. 8, 1739. 
Hannah, " Dec. 21, 1741. 
Phebe, " Dec. 22, 1743. 
Edith, " Jan. 14, 1747. 
Stephen, " Feb. 10, 1748. 

Ebenezer Patch* and Sarah.j 
Jacob, born April 5, 1747. 
Simon, " July 11, 1749. 
Oliver, " Feb. 10, 1751. 
Benjamin, " May 23, 1754. 
Sanih, " Sept. 15, 1756. 
Ebenezer, " Dec. 30, 1758, 

[died July 9, 1763. 



Ruth, born June 23, 1760. 
Samuel, " July 9, 1765. 
Ede, " April 2, 1769. 

• Died Jan. U). 1777. 
t Died June 12, 17i^3. 

Jacob Patch and Mary Hazen.* 
(Married Jan 'J, 1772.) 

Jacob, born Nov. 22, 1772. 

Sarah, " Dec. 12, 1774, 

[died Nov. 2, 1775. 

Jesse, " Aug. 5, 1776, 

[died Sept. 10, 1777. 

Molly, " Mar. 27, 1778. 

David, " Jan. 11, 1780. 

Lydia, " Jan, 24, 1782. 

Zara, " June 21, 1784. 

Ednmnd, " Feb. 24, 1786. 
» Died Aug. 28, 1828. 

James Patterson and Mart. 
Sybil, born July 22, 1747. 
Nicholas, " Mar. 22, 1749. 
Joseph, " Dec. 25, 1751. 

Joseph Perham and Dorothy. 
Jonathan, born and died, Dec. 30, 
1700. 
Elizabeth, " Jan. 16, 1703. 

Obadiah Perry and Catharine. 
Catharine, born June 11, 1749, at 
Natick. 
Elizabeth, « June 19, 1751, at 
Mendon. 
Mary, « July 20, 1754. 

William, « Mar. 23, 1757. 
Anna, " Aug. 25, 1760. 

Jonathan Phelps and Bulah. 
Francis, born Aug. 2, 1757. 

Ephraim Philbrook and Eliza- 
beth. 
Abigail, born Mar. 6, 1686-7. 
Elizabeth, " Nov. 18, 1690. 
Ephraim, " May 7, 1699. 

Seth Phillips and Lydia. 
Isaac, born Feb. 6, 1717-18. 
'Amos, " Oct. 27, 1719. 



APPENDIX. 



427 



Elizabeth, born Oct. 26, 1721. 

Jeiiiiina, " Dec. », 1723. 

Samuel, " Jan. I!), 1725-6. 

Lvdia, « Dec. 2:5, 1727. 

Seth, " Feb. 8, 1729-30. 

Susanna, " Dec. 2, 173.3. 

Kezia, " Mar. 25, 1734-5. 

Nehemiah, " June 20, 1736. 

Samuel Phillips and Abigail 
Frost. 
(Married Doc. 2. 1743 ) 
Nehemiah, born Feb. 28, 1744. 
Deborah, " April 6, 1746. 
Sybil, " May 5, 1748. 

Ruth, " Mar. 4, 1750. 

Charles Phipps and Han.nah 
Pierce. 

Charles, born Sept. 9, 1751. 

Daniel Pierce and Elizabeth. 
Elizabeth, born May 16, 1665. 
Daniel, " 28 d. 9 m. 1666. 

John, " Aug. 18, 1668. 

Ephraim, " Oct. 15, 1673. 
Josiah, " 2d. 3m. 1675. 

Daniel Pierce and Abigail. 
John, born Feb. 18, 1698. 
Isaac, " Feb. 25, 1701. 

Daniel Pierce and Eleanor 

BOYNTON. 
(Married Dec. 9, 1719 ) 
John, born Oct. 4, 1720. 
Isaac, " Dec. 9, 1722. 

Daniel, " Feb. 4, 1724-5. 
Hannah, « Mar. 4, 1726-7. 
Samuel, " June 14, 1729. 
Elizabeth, " Nov. 9, 1732. 

Ephraim Pierce* and Mary. 
Mary, born Aug. 9, 1696. 
Elizabeth, " July 24, 1698. 
Ephraim, " Mar. 12, 1700. 
Sarah, « Mar. 8, 1702. 
David, " May 23, 1704. 
Jonathan, " April 15, 1706, 

[died Sept. 23, 1723. 



Ephraim, born Oct. 15,1707. 
Abiirail, " Nov. 1, 1710. 
Lydia, " Nov. 20, 1713, 

[died Sept. 24, 1723. 
* Died Sept 27, 1710-1. 

Ephraim Pierce and Esther 
Shed. 

(Married Oct. ;"n, 17".'! ) 

Esther, born May 29, 1722. 
Jonathan, " Nov. 22, 1724. 

[I'erhaps there were only two Daniels 
and one Ephraim, parents above iiaiiiid.] 

Stephen Pierce* and Rachel. 
Rachel, born Oct. 21,1723. 
Stephen, " Nov. 6, J 725, 

[died Mar. 6, 1733. 
Jonathan, " April 1 1, 1727. 
Elizabeth," May 26, 1739. 
Susanna, " May 20, 1731. 
Mary, " June 24, 1732. 
Sarah, " Aug. 18, 1733, 

[died June 1, 1737. 
Isaac, « Feb. 24, 1734-5, 

[died May 24, 1737. 
Jacob, " Oct. 16, 1736. 
Thankful, " June 5, 1744. 
* Died July 6, 1761. 

Ebenezer Pierce and Mart. 
Ebenezer, born Sept. 15, 1732, 
Rachel, " Jan. 7, 1734-5. 
John, " July 7, 1737. 

Richard, " Jan. 8, 1739. 
Abigail, « April 30, 1743. 
Isaac, " June 20, 1745. 

Abigail, " June 20, 1748. 

Simon Pierce and Susanna 
Parker. 

(Married .May 26, 1737.) 

Simon, born Mar. 4, 1738. 



Susanna, ' 

Deborah, ' 

Mary, 

Ephraim, 

Samuel, 

Solomon, 

Lemuel, 

Solomon, 

Nehemiah, 

Sarah, 



April 17, 1739. 
Feb. 26, 1741-2. 
Mar. 29, 1743. 
Dec. 30, 1745. 
Nov. 11, 1747. 
Sept. 27, 17.50. 
July 5, 1752. 
Nov. 1, 1754. 
Aug. 1, 1756. 
May 9, 1758. 



428 



GROTON. 



Jonathan Pierce and Ruth 
Gils ON. 
(Married INov. — , 1730. 
Jonathan, born Dec. 3, 1751. 
Benjamin, " June 5, 1754. 
Rnth, " June — , 1757. 

Molly, " Mar. 25, 1751), 

[died Jan. I'i, 1766. 
Stephen, " Aug. V.i, 1761, 

[died Jan. 14, 1766. 
Joseph, " May 15, 1764, 

[died Jan. 20, 1766. 
Ruth, " April 17, 1767. 

Solomon, " Sept. 2, 1771. 

William Pierce * and Sarah. 
Sarah, born Nov. 3, 1740. 
William, " May 27, 1742. 
John, " Jan. 2(>, 1743. 

Lucy, " April 20, 1745. 

Elizabeth, " May 7, 1747. 
Lydia, " Nov. 8, 1748. 
Silas, " July 27, 1750. 

Olive, " Mar. 4, 175 J. 

[died Mar. 4, 1752, 
Anna, " Mar. 3, 1753, 

[died Aug. 18, 1775. 
* Died May IG, IToJ., ecI. 40, 

John Pierce and Hannah. 
Hannah, born Jan. 5, 1743. 

John Pierce and Sarah. 
Sarah, born Aug. 8, 1770. 

George Pierce and Deborah. 
Sarah, born Mar. 5, 1760. 

Samuel Pierce and Lucy Wal- 

LINGSFORD. 

(Married Dec. 1, I7GV ) 
Lucy, born Jan. 14, 1766. 
Isaac, " Nov. 14, 1767, 

[died Jan. 29, 1829. 
Samuel, " Dec. 31, 17(i9. 
Elijah, " Dec 2, 1771. 
Ezekiel, " Au<r. 13, 1773. 
Molly, " Sept. 3, 1775. 

Thomas Pool and Eunice. 
Mary, born April 4, 1740. 



Daniel Powars and Elizabeth, 

Martha. 
Daniel, born April 21, 1703. 
Jonallian, " Oct. 13, 1704. 
Hannah, " Feb. 22, 1709. 
William, " April 18, 1712, 

[of Martha. 

Jerahmael Powars and Eu- 
nice. 
David, born Sept. 13, 1751. 
Vid. Shirley. 

Jonathan Pratt and Mary. 
Jonathan, born Feb. 1, 1732-3, 

[died Oct. 3, 1817. 

John Pratt and Mehitabel,* 
Hannah, f 
John, born April 26, 1732. 
Mary, " Sept. 28, 1735. 
James, " April 4, 1747, 

[of Hannah ; died Nov." 
27, 1748. 
David, " Oct. 29, 1748. 

i * Died June I'J, 1743. 

t Died Aug. 3, 1730. 

Rev. Solomon Prentice and 
Sarah Sartell. 
Solomon, born Oct. 29, 1733. 

Jonas Prescott* and Mary 

LoKER.f 

1 Mary, born 3 d. 12 m. I(i74, 
[married Benj. Farnsworth. 

2 Elizabeth, born Jan. 23, 1676, 
[uiarried Eleazer Green. 

3 Jonas, born Oct. 2(), 1678, 
[married Thankful Wheeler. 

4 Nathaniel, born Dec. 21, 1680, 
[died Jan. 29, 1680-1. 

5 Dorothy, born Feb. 16, 1()81, 
[married John Varnum. 

6 James, born Mar. 16, 1684, 
[died young. 

7 Sarah, " May 3, 1686, 
[married John Longley. 

8 Abigail, born May 8, 1688, 
[married James Parker. 

9 Martha, born Feb. 20, 1690, 
[mairied Shebuel Hobart. 



APPENDIX. 



429 



10 Susanna, born Dec. 31, 1691, 

[married William Lawrence. 

11 Deborah, burn Mar. 5, l(i!)4, 

[married Samuel Parker. 
1- Benjamin, born Jan. 4, 1095, 

[married Abigail Oliver. 

* Died Dec. 31, 1723. 
t Died Oct. 28, 1735. 

II. (1.3) 
Jonas Prescott and Thank- 
ful Wheeler,* of Concord. 

1 Ebenezer, born July 19, 1700. 

2 Jonas, " Jan. 2(j, 1703, 

[married Mary Page. 

3 Thankful, born Sept. 1705, 

[married Timothy Spalding. 

4 Mary, born April 29, 1711, 

[married Joseph Stone. 

* Died Nov. 6, 17 IG. 

II. (1.12) 

Hon. Benjamin Prescott* and 

Abigail OLivER.f 

(Married June 11, 1718.) 

1 Abigail, born April 23, 1719, 

[died Nov. 7, 1739. 

2 James, " Jan. 13,1720-21, 

[married Susanna Lawrence. 

3 Elizabeth, born Oct. 1, 172.3, 

[married Abijah Willard. 

4 William, born Feb. 20, 1725-6. 

5 Lucy, " Feb. 25, 1728-9, 

[died Aug. 10, 1765. 

6 Oliver, born April 27, 1731. 

7 Mary, " Aug. 7, 1735, 

[died Oct. 25, 1751. 

* Died Aug. 3, 17.33. 
] Died Sept. 13, 17GJ. 

III. (l. 3 II. 1 ) 

Ebenezer Prescott and Han- 
nah Farnsworth. 
(.Married May 29, 1721.) 

Ebenezer, born April 12, 172.3. 

Oliver, " May 5, 1725. 

Joseph " July 12, 1726. 

David Prescott * and Abigail. 
David, born Nov. 2, 1753. 
Abigail, " Jan. 22, 1755. 



Ezra, born April 30, 175(). 
Joel, " June 20, 17.59. 

Eunice, " Mar. 9, 17()l, 

[died June 18, 1770. 
Samson, " Nov. 22, 17(i2. 
Azubah, " July 24, 1764. 
Rachel, " Mar. 17, l/fiC. 
Amos, " Aug. 10, 1768. 

Zaccheus, " May 22, 1773. 

* Died Feb. 9. 1771. 

III. (l. 12 „, 2) 
Hon. James Prescott and Su- 
sanna Lawrence. 

Benjamin, born April 16, 1753, 

[died June 17, 1775, at 
Bunker Hill. 
Abijah, born Oct. 18, 175.5. 
Susanna, " Oct. 9, 1757. 
Abel, " April 23, 1760, 

[died Sept. 16, 1765. 
William, « Feb. 26, 1762, 

[died Sept. 19,1765. 
Sarah, " April 3, 1764, 

[died Sept. 20, 1765. 
James, " April 19, 1766, 

[died Oct. 14, 1829. 
William, " Sept. 5, 1768. 
Sarah, " Mar. 7, 1772. 

III. (l. 12 II. 6 ) 

Hon. Oliver Prescott* and 

Ltdia Baldwin, f 

(Married ,1756.) 

Abigail, born Feb. 21, 1760, 

[died Aug. 5, 1765. 
Oliver, " April 4, 1762. 
Thomas, « Oct. 11, 17(54, 

[died Aug. 10, 1765. 
Thomas, " Oct. 27, 1766, 

[died Oct. 26, 1785. 
Abigail, " June 25, 1768, 

[died Oct. 6, 1783. 
Lucy, " Mar. 13, 1771, 

[married Hon. Timothy Bigelow. 
Samuel-Jackson, born Mar. 15, 

[1773. 

Mary-Jackson, born Mar. 1.5, 1774, 

[married John Little, Hon. 

Lalhrop Lewis. 

* Died Nov. 17, 1804. 
t Died Sept. 27, 1798. 



430 



GROTON. 



JosiAH Priest and Mary. 
Lois, born May 1, I7(J2. 
Joseph, " Jan. 1, 17G5. 

Timothy Priest and Sarah 

BUTTERFIELD. 

(Married Aug. 22, 17G4.) 
Molly, born Feb. 13, 1700. 



Sarah, " 


April 


25, 


1707 


Rebekah, •' 


Oct. 


4, 


1708 


Lydia, " 


Sept. 


21, 


1770 


Susanna, " 


Mar. 


24, 


177.3 


Jane, " 


Feb. 


14, 


1775 



Charles Quails and Susanna. 
Mary-Loveday, born July 10, 1770. 
Susanna, " Apr. 11, 1772. 

[There were several other chiklren of 
this family uol recorded, who died young.] 

Richard Rice and Sarah. 
Mary, born Oct. 27, 1722. 
Sarah, " April 22, 1724. 
Peter, " April II, 1727. 
Timothy, " Feb. 10, 1729-30. 
Charles-Richards, born Dec. 10, 

[1732. 
Rebekah, born Oct. 8, 1730. 

Timothy Reed and Mary. 
Catharine, born May 1, 1738. 
Martha, " May 9, 1742. 

Adam Richardson and Re- 
bekah. 
Winslow, born Dec. 14, 1737. 
Rebekah, « July 13, 1740. 
Stephen, " July 0, 1743. 

Benjamin Richardson and 
Eunice. 



Lydia, 


borr 


I Aug. 


•^», 


1721. 


Sarah, 


(i 


June 


17, 


1723. 


Joseph, 


(( 


Mar. 


2, 


1724-5. 


Jesse, 


(( 


Mar. 


8, 


1730. 


Benjamir 




Mar. 


1, 


1731. 


Dorothy, 


(( 


Feb. 


24, 


17.33. 


Dorothy, 


(C 


Aug. 


30, 


1734. 


Eunice, 


u 


Mar. 


30, 


1737. 


Hannah, 


u 


Feb. 


17, 


1739. 



Converse Richardson and 
Marcy. 

Joshua, born April 4, 1758, 

[died Feb. 0, 1759. 
Mary, " May 17, 1701. 
Marcy, " Aug. 0, 1703. 
Joshua, " Sept. 11, 1772. 

Robert Robbins and Mary. 
Sarah, born Dec. 7, 1097. 



John, 


" Feb. 


9, 


1099. 


Mary, 


" Mar. 


24, 


1702. 


Elizabeth, 


" Oct. 


9, 


1704. 


Isaac, 


'•' April 


4, 


1707. 


Abigail, 


" Aug. 


29 


1714. 


James, 


» Feb. 


19, 


1710-17. 


Ebenezer 


Robbins 


and Mar 




garet 






Joseph, born May 8 


17 


03. 



Eleazer Robbins and Ruth. 
Jedediah, born Aug. 24, 1709. 
George, " July 9, 1712. 
Eleazer, « July 18, 1714. 
Ruth, " Feb. 13, 1710. 

Ephraim, " Dec. 2, 1718. 

Benjamin Robbins and Eliza- 
beth. 

Hannah, born Mar. 14,1731. 



Elijah, 

Benjamin, " 

Jeremiah, " 

John, " 

Elizabeth, " 



Mar. 9, 1732. 
Feb. 3, 1733. 
Dec. 20, 1737. ; 
July 5, 1738. 
Feb. 12, 1739. * 



James Robertson* and Eliza- 
beth, f 

(Married Jan. 16, IG67.) 
Elizabeth, born Oct. 3, 1008. 
* Died Dec. 8, 1720. 
t Died Dec. 22, 1729, aet. 82. 

Amos Robinson and Lydia. 

Priscilla, born Feb. 24, 1746, 

[died Mar. 10, 1746. 
David, " Mar. 9, 1747. 



APPENDIX. 



431 



Elisha Rockwood * and Eliza- 
beth, f 

Elizabeth, born May 6, 1739, 

[died Sept. 17, 1753. 

Elisha, " Nov. 9, 1740. 

Samuel, " Aug. 11, 1742, 

[died Sept. 2, 1753. 

Joseph, " June 13, 1744. 

Ebenezer, " Aug. 13, 174(5. 

Lydia, " May 27, 1748, 

[died Sept. 17, 1753. 

Abigail, " Aug. 13, 1751. 

Moses, " July 11,1753, 

[died Sept. 7, 1753. 

Samuel, " Dec. 0, 1754, 

[died May 29, 1804. 

Elizabeth, " April 17, 1757. 

Lydia, « Aug. 23, 1759. 

Sybil, " Aug. II, 1761. 

Sarah, " July 3, 1763. 

* Died Dec 5, 1788, set. 72. 
t Died May 16, 1799, aet. 79. 

Joseph Rockwood and Sarah 
Richardson. 

(Married Jan. 30, 1766.) 
Joseph, born Dec. 17, 1766. 



Moses, 

Susanna, 

John, ) 

Abel, I 

Nabby, 

John, 

Sarah, 



May 11, 1769. 
Sept. 27, 1771. 

Dec. 15, 1773. 

June 13, 1776. 

Sept. 16, 1778. 
Aug. 4, 1781. 



Elisha Rockwood, Jr., and 
Mary Farnsworth.* 
(Married April 29, 1762.) 
Hannah, born Feb. 10, 1763. 
Molly, " Oct. 29, 1764. 
* Died Nov. 11, 1765. 

Benjamin Rolf and Elizabeth. 
Elizabeth, born Oct. 23, 1738. 

Elijah Ross and Hannah. 
Daniel, born May 4, 1768. 

James Ross and Susanna. 
Mary, born Aug. 31, 1769. 
James, " July 18, 1772. 



Alexander Rouse and Judith. 

(Married May 15, 1672.) 
Judith, ) born Feb. 2, 1672, 
Elizabeth, ^ died April and June, 

[1673. 
Elizabeth, born 23 d. 3 m. 1()75, 

[died 10 d. 8. m. 1675. 
Sarah, born July 26, 1686. 

John Russell and Mart. 

Susanna, born Nov. ]5, 1747. 
Robert, " Aug. 28, 1744. 
Azdill, " Mar. 24, 1752. 

Ephraim Russell and Meriam. 

Ephraim, born Nov. 6, 1755. 
Solomon, " Jan. 29, 1750. 
Nathaniel, « Nov. 29, 1759. 
Calvin, " Jan. 12, 1762. 
Joseph, " Dec. 6, 1763. 
Dorcas, " Mar. 24, 1766. 
Luther, " June 23, 1768, 

[died Nov. 17, 1768. 
Luther, " Feb. 7, 1770. 

Nathaniel Sartell and Jane. 
Plannah. 

Nathaniel, born Nov. 8, 1737, at 
[Boston. 
See Appendix to Pepperell. 

William Saunders and — 
Hannah, born 8 d. 3 m. 1674. 

Joseph Saunderson and Sarah 
Page. 
(Married July 30, 1714) 
David, born Sept. 5, 1715. 
Sarah, " Jan. 19, 1716-17. 
William, " July 17, 1718. 
Hannah, « April 5, 1720. 
Joseph, « Mar. 17, 1721-2. 
Susannah," May 18,1723. 
Gideon, " Feb. 19, 1724-5. 
Joseph, " Mar. 5, 1726-7. 
Sarah, " Oct. 15, 1729. 
John, " Dec. 13, 1731. 



432 



GROTON. 



Joseph Saundersox and Ruth. 
Rutli, born Oct. 6, 1737. 
Esther, " April 5, ]7;il>, at 

[Lunenburg. 
Joseph, " Mar. b, 1740-1. 
Anna, " Aug-. 7, 174-2. 

Isaac, " April 7, 1744. 

Thomas, " Mar. IG, 174.5. 
Abraham, " June 10, 1748. 
David, " May 15, 1750. 

David Saunderson and EuiNICE. 
David, born July 27, 1737. 
Joseph, " May 24, 1741. 
Benjamin," Aug. 25, 1743. 

Obadiah Sawtell and Hannah. 
Abigail, born Mar. 13, KJGS-G. 

Jonathan Sawtell * and Mary. 

{Married Julys, 1GG,5 ) 
Mary, born Oct. IC, 1(507. 
Elizabeth, " Feb. 3, KJliS. 
Hannah, " Oct. 6, 1H70. 
Abigail, " Mar. 5, 1()71. 
Sarah, " 24 d. 12 m. 1G73. 

* Died Jan. G, IGDO. 

Zachariah Sawtell and Mary* 
Anna, born 14 d. 1 rti. 1673-4. 
* Died Dec. 2, 1699. 

OfiAniAH Sawtell and Hannah. 
Elnathan, born Mar. 27, KJ83. 
Josiah, " Aug. 14, 1G87, 

[died Oct. 4, 1G90. 
Hannah, « June 8, 1695, 

[married Stephen Holden. 
Abigail, born Mar. 13, l(i97, 

[married Joseph Parker. 
Obadiah, born Mar. 18,1701. 
Hezekiah, " Mar. 2, 1703. ^ 

Zachariah Sawtell * and 
Mary. 

Mary, born April 11, 1697, 

[married Benjamin Parker. 
Zachariah, born Nov. 18, 1699, 

[died Mar. 5, 1752. 
Samuel, " Dec. 13, 1700. 

David, " Mar. 30, 1702. 



Daniel, born Sept. 21, 1704, 

[married Elizabeth Heald, 
of Concord. 
Susanna, born Jan. 28, 1708, 

[married Michael Gilson. 
Zachariah, born April 24. 1712. 
Sarah, » Mar. 29, 1715. 

Anna, " Sept. 13, 1717. 

Elizabeth, " Sept. 28, 1720. 

* Died Oct. 2, 1737. 

Ephraim Sawtell and Abigail.* 
Abigail, born Jan. 23, 1714. 
Uriah, " Sept. 23, 1716. 
Amos, " Dec. 22, 1718. 
Eunice, " Oct. 7, 1720. 
Sarah, " Oct. 7, 1722. 
Hannah, " Mar. 19, 1725-6. 
John, " April 18, 1729. _. 

* Died Dec. 4, HiS. 

Josiah Sawtell and Lydia. 
Barsheba, born Oct. 1, 1721. 
Susanna, " Mar. 7, 1724. 
Jonathan, " April 23, 1726. 

Obadiah Sav/tell and Rachel 
Parker. 

(iMarriod ISov. IG, 1721.) 
Simon, born Nov. 14, 1722. 



Lois, 

Esther, " 

Nathaniel, " 

Rachel, " 

Solomon, " 



July 4, 1724. 
Mar. 9, 1725-0. 
Feb. 12, 1729,. '^ 
June 9, 1731. 
Oct. 10, 1737. 



Hezekiah Sawtell* and Joan- 
na Wilson, f 
Jonathan, born June 6, 1724. 
Hezekiah, " Dec. 11,1725. 
Elnathan, " Oct. 21, 1728. 
Haimah, " Oct. 11, 1730. . 
Obadiah, " Oct. 1 1, 17-32. '' 
Ephraim, " Jan. 18, 1734. 
Richard, " June 21, 1737^ 
Elizabeth, " June 13, 1739. 
Nathaniel, " Oct. 6, 1743. 
Esther, " Aug. 31, 1745. 

Rebekah, " Oct. 8, 1747. 

* Died March 18, 1779. 
t Died Sept. 11, 1786. 



«.^' 



h.^ 



APPENDIX. 



433 



Daniel Sawtell and Esther.* 
Eleazer, born Dec. 22, 1728. 



Sarah, " 


Aug. 9, 1730. 


Esther, " 


July 3, 1732. 


Daniel, " 


Aug. 15, 1734. 


Jacob, " 


Nov. 30, 1737. 


Oliver, " 


June 1, 1743. 


Susanna, " 


Aug. 10, 1748. 


David Sawtell and Eliza - 




BETH.* 


Hannah, born April 19, 1725. 


David, " 


Sept. 26, 1726. 


Samuel, " 


Sept. 10, 1729. 


Moses, " 


Jan. 24, 1731-2. 


Jonas, " 


July 26, 1734. 


Elizabeth, « 


July 12, 1737. 


Abel, « 


July 23, 1739-40 


John, " 


July 17, 1743.. 



Died Nov. 23, 1772, aet. 70. 



Zachariah Sawtell, Jr., and 
Abigail. 

Zachariah, born Nov. 25, 1734, 

[died Feb. 22, 1752. 
Joseph, " July 28, 1738, 

[died June 6, 1757. 
Asa, " July 11, 1740. 

Joel, " May 17, 1742, 

[died Dec. 15, 17,52. 
Lot, " April 22, 1744, 

[died Oct. 22, 1752. 
Abigail, « Feb. 2, 1745, 

[died Oct. 12, 1752. 
Lydia, » May 17, 1749, 

[died Dec. 8, 1752. 
Marcy, " Oct. 18, 1750. 

Lucy, " Jan. 1, 1753. 



David Sawtell, Jr., and Re- 
bekah. 

Anne, born May 1, 1748. 



Solomon, 
Michael, " 
Zachariah, " 
Susanna, " 
Abel, " 

Rebekah, " 



April 9, 1750. 
July 8, 175L 
Dec. 2, 1754. 
Mar. 1, 1757. 
April 4, 1760. 
Dec. 11, 1762. 

55 



Jonathan Sawtell and Mary. 
Jonathan, born Jan. 31, 1753. 



Mary, 

Joanna, 

Abigail, 

Hezekiah, 

Maria, 

Rebekah, 

Josiah, 



Sept. 15, 1754. 

June 17, 1756. 

June 27, 17.58. 

Feb. 26, 176L *^ 

Jan. 18, 1763. 

Jan. 28, 1765. 

Nov. 24. 1766. 



Samuel Sawtell and Ltdia. 
Lucy, born Feb. 15, 1754. 
Sybil, " April 22, 1757. 

MosEs Sawtell and Elizabeth. 
Nathan, born Feb. 24, 1758. 

Vid. Sfiirley. 

John Sawtell, Jr., and Susan- 
nah. 

Edmund, born Nov. 17, 1760. 
Susannah, " Dec. 4, 1761. 
Emma, " July 15, 1764. 
John, " April 21, 1766. 

Lydia, " April 4, 1768. 

Nathaniel Sawtell and Abi- 
gail. 
Alice, born Oct. 26, 17G5. 
Henry, " April 25, 1767, at 
Shirley. 
Nehemiah," July 12, 1769. 
Nathaniel, " Sept. 19, 1771. 
Benjamin, " Oct. 11, 1773. 

Ephraim Sawtell and Abigail. 

Abigail, born Nov. 3, 1758. 

Lucy, " Jan. 20, 1760. 

Josiah, » Jan. 30, 1762. 

Molly, " Dec. 3, 1763. 

Eli, " Nov. 26, 1765. 

Josiah, " Jan. 24, 1768! 

Ephraim, " June 2-3, 1770. 

Sarah, » Nov. 20, 1772. 

Obadiah Sawtell and Mart. 
Obadiah, born Nov. 29, 1757. 

Joseph Sawtell* and Lydia. f 
Zachariah, born Feb. 26, 1761. 
Joseph, '.<■ May 8, 1764. 



434 



GROTON. 



Jesse, born Feb. 29, 1767. 

Lydia, " Feb. 18, 1773. 

Lot, " May 12, 1776. 

Lucy, " Oct. 24, 1777. 

* Died March — , 1822, set. 84. 
t Died July 5, 1829. 



John Scott and Mart. 

Mary, born April 11, 1733. 
John, " Dec. 15, 1736. 

Thomas, " Mar. 1, 1738-9. 
William, " July 1, 1742. 
Aaron, " Aug. 1, 1744. 
Abigail, " June 3, 1747. 

Samuel Scripture and Eliza- 
beth. 

Samuel, born 4 d. 8 m. 1675. 



Mary, 
Abigail, 
Ruth, 
Lydia, 



Feb. 7, 1680. 

Jan. 28, 1686-7. 
Feb. 2, 1696. 

June 28, 1700. 



Samuel Scripture, Jr., and 
Mary,* Elizabeth. 

Sarah, born Dec. 16, 1700. 
Jemima, " April 19, 1703, 

[died Sept. 30, 1723. 
Samuel, « April 25, 170.5, 

[died Sept. 28, 172.3. 

James, ; died Sept. 28, 1723. 

Samuel, " April 27, 1727, of 
Elizabeth. 
* Died Sept. 25, 1723. 

John Scripture and Abigail. 
Sarah, born Dec. 3, 1719. 

Samuel Scripture, Jr., and 
Mary. 

Mary, born May 5, 1747. 
James, " Jan. 11, 1749. 
Oliver, " Dec. 19, 1750. 

William Shattuck and Han- 
nah. 
Ruth, born Oct. — , 1694, married 
Ebenezer Nutting. 



William Shattuck married De- 
liverance Pease, March 24, 
1718-19. 

[Perhaps the same as above. William, 
Sen. of VVaterlowii, had a son William, 
and John also had a William. I'erhaps 
the two above named ] 

John Shattuck* and Mart. 
John, born Jan. 6, 1690, died Mar." 
8, 1709 ; killed by Indians. 
Jonathan, born June 29, 1693, 

[married Elizabeth Chamberlin. 
David, born April 28, 1696. 
Mary, « April 11, 1699, 

[married John Gilson. 
Sarah, " Oct. 5, 1701. 
Lydia, « Mar. 1, 1704, 

[married Isaac Williams. 
Patience, born Feb. 18, 1708-9. 
* Died March 8, 1709, killed by Indians. 

Samuel Shattuck* and Eliza- 
beth BLOOD.f 

Samuel born April 7, 1696. 
James, " Feb. 9, 1699, 

[married Sarah Chamberlin. 
Jeremiah, born June 11, 1703. 
Elizabeth, " July 22, 1705, 

[married Isaac Lakin. 
Ruth, born Feb. 6, 1708-9, 

[married Jacob Ames. 



John, 


" Jan. 


21, 


1711. 


David, 


" Aug. 


4, 


1713. 


Sarah, 


" Dec. 


il, 


1716-17 


Rachel, 


" June 


9, 


1719. 



* Died July 26, 1758. 
t Died Oct. 20, 1759. 



William Shattuck and Abigail 
Shattuck, Margaret Lund.* 



(Married Abig 


lil, Man 


'h 15, 1710-11. ) 


William, born Jan. 


25, 1711-12. 


Abigail, " 


Nov. 


11, 1718. 


Jeremiah, " 


Oct. 


2, 1721. 


Zachariah, " 


Mar. 


16, 1724. 


Sarah, « 


Jan. 


13, 1726. 


Ezekiel, " 


June 


12, 1730, of 
Margaret. 


Margaret, " 


July 


4, 1732. 


Job, " 


Feb. 


11, 1735-6. 



Died June 13, 1764. 



APPENDIX. 



435 



Jonathan Shattuck and Eliza- 
beth Chamberlin. 

(ftlarried June 23, 1711). ) 

Jonathan, born April 2, 1720. 



Elizabeth, 


(( 


Jan. 


12, 


1721-2. 


John, 


(( 


Mar. 


12, 


1724. 


Esther, 


it 


May 


21, 


1726. 


Kezia, 


u 


June 


VJ, 


1728. 


Mary, 


«( 


Sept. 


22, 


17:}0. 


Zaccheus, 


(( 


May 


2(), 


17.34. 


Eunice, 


a 


Mar. 


5, 


173.5-6 


Timothy, 


(i 


Aug. 


8, 


1738. 



Samuel Shattuck, Jr., and An- 
na Williams.* 
(Married Jan. 27, 1725-fi.) 
Samuel, born Sept. 25, 1726, first 
birth on west side Nashua river. 
Benjamin, born Dec. 9, 1728. 
Anna, " April 13, 1731. 

Elizabeth, » Jan. 11, 1734. 
Isaac, " Sept. 1, 1736. 

Rachel, " Aug. 21, 1738. 
Philip, " Jan. 18, 1745. 

* Died Aug. 19, 1757. 

James Shattuck and Sarah 
Chamberlin. 
(Married Nov. 22, 1726.) 
Sarah, born Sept 16, 1727. 
Ruth, " Jan, 7, 1733. 
Thomas, « Jan. 29, 1735-6. 
Jemima, " July 6, 17.38. 
Reuben, " April 21, 1741. 
Abigail, " May 8, 1744. 
Joseph, " Oct, 1, 1747. 
Moses, " Jan. 24, 1751, 

[married Abigail Woods. 

Jeremiah Shattuck and Sarah 
Parker. 
(Married July?, 1724.) 
Nathaniel, born Aug. 12, 1724. 
Jeremiah, " April 11, 1726. 
Elizabeth, " May 17, 1728. 
Oliver, " Aug. 15, 1730. 

Sarah, " Dec. 8, 1732. 

David, " Feb. 19, 1735. 

Solomon, " June 9, 1737. 
Nehemiah, « Feb. 21, 1739-40. 



David Shattuck and Dorothy. 
David, born Oct. 11, 1736. 
Simeon, " Sept. 12, 1738. 
Dolly, " Sept. 28, 1740. 
Levi, " Aug. 17, 1742. 

Phebe, " June 22, 1744. 
Hannah, " May 16, 1746. 
Lydia, " Aug. 3, 1748. 

Jonathan Shattuck, Jr., and 
Kezia Farnsworth. 
Kezia, born Feb. 4, 1744. 
Jonathan, " Mar. 16, 1746. 
Annis, « Oct. 2, 1749. 
Eleazer, " Oct. 15, 1751. 

John Shattuck and Sarah. 
Maria, born Sept. 26, 1740. 
Martha, " June 29, 1745. 
Peter, " April 2, 1748. 

Job Shattuck * and Sarah 

Hartwell, Elizabeth Gragg,! 

Widow. 

Job, born Dec. 10, 1758, 

[died May 4, 1827. 
Sarah, " Dec. 27,17(,0, 

[married Benjamin Simpson. 
Ezekiel, born April 12, 1763, 

[died April 1, 1813. 
William, " Mar. 8, 1765, 

[died Oct. 9, 1806. 
Rachel, " July 12, 1767, 
[married Oliver Hartwell ; died 
July 12, 1817. 
Daniel, " Feb. 11, 1770, 

[died April 8, 1831. 
Noah, « Aug. 30, ITW: ^t- 
Margaret, " Mar. 13, 1774, 

[married Jonathan Bennett, Esq. 

Anna, born Feb. 6, 1779, married 

Thomas Bennett, died Feb. 7, 

1843. 

* Died Jan. 13, 1819. 
t Died June 1, 1824. 

Jeremiah Shattuck and Lydia 
Lakin. 
(Married Aug. 10, 1749.) 
Lydia, born Mar. 1 9, ] 750. 
Phebe, " June 26, 1752. 
Jeremiah, " June 24, 1754. 



436 



GROTON. 



Ebenezer-Lakin, bor. Sep. 8, 1756. 
Abraham, born Oct. 12, 1759. 

Samuel Shed, Elizabeth and 
Martha. 
Esther, born March 24, 1703, 

[married Ephraim Pearce. 
John, born Dec. 21, 1706. 
Abigail, " Nov. 7, 1708. 
Martha, " Mar. 9, 1717-18, 
[of Martha. 

Daniel Shed * and Abigail.! 
Daniel, born June 12, 1715. 
Abigail, " Mar. 15, 1718. 
Rebekah, " Sept. 11, 1721. 
Elizabeth, " May 9, 1724. 

* Died Oct. 2, 1723. 

] Married Daniel Farnsworih. 

Jonathan Shed and Sarah Bar- 
ron. 
(Married April 13, 1722.) 
Sarah, born Oct. 19,1722. 



Esther, 

Jonathan, 

Samuel 

William, 

Oliver, 

Abel, 



Aug. 23, 1724. 
July 4, 1726. 
Mar. 17, 1732-5. 
April 15, 1735. 
Feb. 11, 1738-9. 
Mar. 9, 1742-3. 



John Shed and Elizabeth. 
Elizabeth, born Sept. 1, 1733. 
Rachel, " Jan. 29, 1735-6. 
Sarah, " July 17,1738. 

Jshp,., " Dec. 20, 1740. 

David, " Mar. 1, 1742. 

Samuel, « July 22, 1745. 
Joseph, " May 19, 1748, at 
Pepperell. 

Daniel Shed and Mary. 
Mary, born Aug. 12, 1743. 
Daniel, " April 15, 1746. 
William, » June 16, 1748. 
Jonas, " Aug. 24, 1750. 
Rebecca, " Aug. 26, 1753. 
Amos, " June 29, 1758. 
Samuel, " Oct. 21, 1760. 
Sarah, " Oct. 13, 1763. 



Oliver Shed and Mart. 
Oliver, born Aug. 21, 1763, 

[died July 29, 1827. 
Jonathan, " Mar. 10, 1766. 
Abijah, " Oct. 25, 1768. 
Molly, " Mar. 28, 1771. 
Asa, " Feb. 16, 1774, 

[died Feb. 1812. 
Jepthah, " July 1, 1783. 

William Shed * and Lydia, 

Elizabeth. 
Amos, born April 17, 1766. 
William, " May 2, 1769. 
Lydia, " Nov. 9, 1772. 
Simeon, " Aug. 7, 1773, of 
Elizabeth. 
* Died March 18, 1806. 

John Sheple * and Lydia. 
Jonathan, born Sept. 1, 1700. 



John, 

Jane, 

Mary, 

Nathaniel, 

Joseph, 



April 1, 1703. 
April 6, 1705. 
Dec. 20, 1712. 
Nov. 16, 1714. 
May 22, 1721. 



* Died Sept. 4, 1736. 

John Sheple, Jr., and Eliza- 
beth BoYDEN. 
• (Married Feb. 16, 1723-6.) 
John, born Dec. 10, 1727. 
Elizabeth, " May 22, 1730. 
Mary, " Feb. 20, 1732-3. 
Josiah, " June 15, 1735. 
Jonathan, " March 2, 1738. 
Lemuel, " Aug. 1, 1740. 
Lydia, « April 10, 1743. 
Abel, « May 25, 174-. 

Sarah, " Dec. 25, 174-- 

Jonathan Sheple * and Lydia 

Lakin. 

(Married Dec. 26, 1728.) 

Jonathan, born Aug. 5, 1729. 

Nathaniel, » Feb. 23, 1731-2. 

William, " Nov. 11, 1733. 

Oliver, " Jan. 18, 1735-6. 

* Died Nov. 4, 1744. 

Joseph Sheple and Eunice. 
Eunice, born Oct. 31, 1744. 



APPENDIX. 



437 



Betty, 
Mary, " 
Joseph, " 
James, " 
Wilder, « 
Phiuehas," 



born Oct. 5, 1746. 
" April 20, 1747. 
" Mar. 8, 1748. 
" June 1, 1751. 

May 5, 1754. 

Oct. — , 1756. 



Er- 
ror? 



John Sheple* and Abigail.! 
Abigail, born Nov. 15, 1755. 
John, " Feb. 3, 1757. 

Elizabeth," June 5,1759. 
Hannah, « Aug. 26, 1761. 
Mary, « Nov. 26, 1763. 
* Died Nov. 19, 1785. 
t Died March 5, 1766. 

Oliver Sheple and Mary. 
Sybil, born Sept 19, 1755. 

Joseph Simonds and Mitty. 
Joseph, born Sept, 25, 1771. 
Mitty, " Mar. 23, 1774. 
Asa, « April 6, 1776. 

Walter Skinner and Hannah. 
Hannah, born Mar. 12, 1669. 

Thomas Smith and . 

Anna, born April 17, 1672. 
James, « 14 d. 2 m. 1674. 

Nathaniel Smith and Esther, 

Susanna. 
Esther, born May 20, 1719. 
Nathaniel, " Dec. 28, 1721. 
John, " Jan. 22, 1724-5, of 

Susanna. 
Edward, « Mar. 4, 1726-7. 
Jonathan, " Sept. 24, 1729. 
Jerusha, " June 21, 1732. 
Joseph, " Mar. 4, 1736. 

Thomas Smith and Lydia. 
Lydia, born Jan. 1, 1736. 
Thomas, " June 20, 1738. 
William, " May 4, 1741. 
John, " May 5, 1743. 
Samuel, " July 30, 1745. 

Margaret Smith, died March 29, 
1740, ffit. 63. 



NathanielSmith and Priscilla. 
Susannah, born Mar. 2, 1753. 

John Solendine and Susanna. 
Susanna, born Feb, 11, 1718. 
William, " April 23, 1721. 
John, «' April 28, 1725. 

Sarah, " May 8, 1727, 

[died Feb. 24, 1754. 
John, « Nov. 10, 1729. 

Isaac, " April 18, 1732. 

John Spafford and Anna. 
Silas, born Oct. 28, 1743. 
John, " Mar. 24, 1745. 
Thomas, " April 20, 1747. 
Anna, " Feb. 6, 1748. 
Jonathan, " April 26, 1751. 

Joseph Spalding and Mary. 
Betty, born Dec. 4, 1728. 

Deborah, " . 

Abel, " Jan. 4, 1735-6. 
Joseph, « Feb. 16, 1739-40. 

William Spalding and Hepzi- 



William, born 
Eleazer, " 
Hannah, " 
Elizabeth, " 
Joseph, " 
Lemuel, " 
Thomas, « 
Honora, " 
Abel, " 



April 4, 1732. 
May 2G, 1733. 
Mar. 30, 1735. 
Mar. 11, 1736-7. 
April 20, 1739. 
Nov. 14, 1741. 
Oct. 7, 1743. 
April 1, 1746. 
June 12, 1749. 



William Spalding and Mary. 
William, born July 19, 1759. 



Mary, 

Sybil, » 

Jonathan, " 

Josiah, " 

Elizabeth, " 

Sarah, " 

Mary, " 



Oct. 14, 1760. 
May 25, 1762. 
Sept. 1, 1763, 
May 15, 1765. 
June 7, 1767. 
Nov. 13, 1768. 
April 30, 1772. 



Ebenezer Sprague and Eunice. 
Ebenezer, born Jan. 21, 1727-8. 



438 



GROT ON. 



Hezekiah Spraoue* and Eliza- 
beth. 
Elizabeth, born Sept. 2, 1731. 



John, 
Jonathan, 
William, 
Hezekiah, 



Aug. 22, 1733. 
Oct. 30, 1735. 
Mar. 22, 1738. 
May 23, 1740. 



* Died April 29, 1740. 

Joseph Stevens and Elizabeth. 

William, born Oct. 26, 1724. 
Jonas, " April 26, 1727. 
Lucy, " Aug. 6, 1730, at 
North town. 

Peter Stevens and Ltdia. 

John, born May 12, 1760. 
Peter, " Mar. 23, 1762. 
Simon, " April 2, 1764. 

Josiah Stevens and Mart. 

Thomas, born July 28, 1767. 
Josiah, " July 20, 1769. 
David, " Oct. 30, 1772. 

Dea. Simon Stone and Sarah. 

Susanna, born Oct. 23, 1694. 
Isaac, " May 4, 1697, 

[died Sept. 30, 1723. 
Benjamin, " Aug, 12, 1706. 

Hannah, ; died Sept. 27, 1723. 

Lydia, ; died Sept. 30, 1723. 



John Stone, Jr. and Elizabeth 
Farwell. 

(Married Dec. 22, 1722.) 
John, born Nov. 5, 1723. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 26, 1725. 
David, " Auff. 7, 1728, 

[died Oct. 10, 1758. 
Mindwell, " April 10, 1731. 
Nathaniel, " Sept. 27, 1733. 
Sarah, " Oct. 20, 1735. 
Thomas, " May 18, 1739. 
Abel, " April 9, 1742. 

Esther, " June 18, 1744. 
Asa, " July 13, 1748. 

Dea. James Stone* and Mary 
Farwell. 
(Married Dec. 28, 1726.) 
James, born Aug. 1 1, 1727. 



Mary, 
Jonathan, " 

William, " 

Abigail, " 

Sarah, " 

Joel, " 

Salmon, " 

Hannah, " 

Levi, " 



Feb. 23, 1728-9. 
Dec. 12, 1731. 
Feb. 27, 1733-4. 
Dec. 2, 1736. 
June 12, 1739. 
May 1, 1742. 
April 17, 1744. 
Oct. 29, 1747. 
May 16, 1750. 



* Died Feb. 27, 1783. 



Simon St 


one, J 


R. and Sarah. 


Simon, born 


Sept. 


10, 


1714. 


Ephraim, 


( 


Jan. 


2, 


1715-16. 


Oliver, 


( 


Jan. 


20, 


1719-20. 


Sarah, 


( 


Jan. 


27, 


1721-2. 


Isaac, 


( 


Feb. 


17, 


1723-4. 


Hannah, 


( 


April 18, 


1726. 


Elias, 


( 


April 


2, 


1728. 


Amos, 


( 


Sept. 


9, 


1729. 



John Stone and Sarah. 

John, born Sept, 23, 1699. 
James, " Jan. 23, 1701. 



Joseph Stone* 
Joseph, born Dec. 
Mary, 
Sybil, 
Isaac, 
Jonas, 
Sarah, 
Silas, 
Lydia, 
Simon, 
Amos, 



Aug. 
" Oct. 
" Dec. 
" Nov. 
" Feb. 
" Feb. 
« April 
" Nov. 

July 



Samuel, " Nov. 
Thankful, " Oct. 

* Died Sept. 10, 
t Died Sept. 5, - 



and MARY.f 
30, 1729 
28, 1731. 
16, 1733. 
25, 1735. 
11, 1737. 

4, 1740. 
11, 1742. 

1, 1744. 

1, 1746. 
24, 1749. 

7, 1751. 
10, 1754. 

, set. 75. 



John Stone, Jr. and Anna,* 
Jerdsha. 
Abraham, born May 8, 1748. 
John, " June 17, 1750. 

Israel, " Feb. 17, 1752. 

Nathaniel, " Dec. 11, 1754, 

[died Nov. 14, 1756. 



APPENDIX. 



439 



Anna, born June 4, 1755, 

[died Oct. 29, 1756. 
Anna, " July G, 17tJ0, of 

Jerusha. 

* Died Nov. 10, 1736. 

David Stone* and Lydia. 
Lydia, born Mar. 12, 1753. 
Anna, " Aug. 16, 1755, 

[died May 7, 1756. 
David, " Feb. 19, 1756, 

[died Nov. 6, 1756. 

* Died Oci. 10, 1758. 

Nathaniel Stone* and Sybil. 
Nathaniel, born Sept. 1, 1759. 
Sybil, « Nov. 24, 1761. 

Hannah, " Oct. 10, 176.3. 
Olive, " Jan. 15, 1766. 

Rhoda, « Oct. 22, 1767. 

Joseph, «' Dec. 19, 1769, 

[died Nov. 10, 1772. 
Molly, " Dec. 29, 1771. 

Isaac, " Jan. 6, 1774. 

Joseph, " Feb. 7, 1776. 

* Died Sept. 1811, set. 78. 

Abel Stone and 

Betty, born Dec. 25, 1763. 
Abel, " Mar. 8, 1765. 
Lucy, " Aug. 12, 1766. 

James Stone, Jr. and Deborah. 
James, born May 3J, 1749. 
Jonathan, " Oct. 24, 1750. 
Lemuel, " Aug. 23, 1753. 
Eunice, " Jan. 10, 1760. 

Jonathan Stone and Sdsanna. 

Susanna, born Dec. 3, 1756. 
Jonathan, " April 10, 1758. 



Eunice, 

Molly, 

Solomon, 

Moses, 

Molly, 

Sally, 

Oliver, 

Abraham, 

Oliver, 



Feb. 10, 1760. 
Dec. 26, 1761, 
[died Jan. 17, 1762. 
Feb. 7, 1763. 
Nov. 4, 1764. 
Feb. 6, 1767. 
May 9, 1769. 
Nov. 27, 1770, 
[died Aug. 10, 1775. 
Dec. 6, 1772, 
[died Aug. 4, 1775. 
Nov. 16, 1778. 



Joel Stone and Eunice. 
Joel, born Oct. 30, 1765. 

Salmon Stone and Susanna. 
Ede, born June 24, 1768, 

[died Oct. 29, 1768. 

Levi Stone* and Lydia.I 
Sally, born Dec. 24, 1776. 
i Lydia, " Jan. 22, 1778. 
Lucy, « Nov. 8, 1779, 

[died Aug. 24, 1781. 
Lucy, " Jan. 1, 1782. 
Levi, " Mar. 17, 1784. 
Betsey, « Mar. 28, 1786. 
James, " April 28, 1788. 
Hannah, " Dec. 9, 1789. 

[died Sept. 27, 1792. 
John, " Jan. 11, 1792, 

[died May, 1812. 
Samuel, " Dec. I, 1798. 

* Died Feb. 4, 1830. 
i Died Feb. 13, 1830. 

Jonas Stone and Rebekah.* 



Jonas, born 
Jesse, " 
Timothy, " 
Rebekah, " 

Joseph, " 
Sally, 

Rebekah, " 
Betty, " 
* D 



Mar. 5, 1766. 
Oct. 21, 1768. 
Jan. 22, 1771. 
Mar. 9, 1773, 
[died May 19, 1777. 
April 15, 1775. 
April 9, 1777, 
[died Sept. 30, 1778. 
July 17, 1779. 
June 13, 1782. 

led Jan., 1824. 



Amos Stone and Molly Moors.* 



Amos, 

Molly, 

Lydia, 

Joseph, 

Abigail, 

Timothy, 

Nathaniel, 

Milly, 

Susan, 

Abraham, 



born Sept. 21, 

" April 21, 

" Mar. 29, 

" Mar. 28, 

" Oct. 26, 

« May 21, 

" April 8, 

" Nov. 28, 

" Sept. 24, 

" July 20, 



Died May 13, 1847, 



1776. 

1778. 
1780. 
1782. 
1783. 
1785. 
1787. 
1789. 
1790. 
1793. 
oet. 94. 



440 



GROTON. 



Daniel Stone and Martha. 

Jeremiah, born Jan. 22, 1770. 
David, « Mar. 23, 1772. 

Sewall- ,, ^ y -,774 
Corning, ^^./^ j^^^^ ^^ ^^^^ 



Asa Stone and Patty. 
Asa, born Jan. 21, 1777. 



Patty, 

Emma, " 
William, " 

William, " 
Patty, " 
Sukey, " 

John, 

Rachel, — 



Mar. 15, 1779, 

[died Aug. 15, 1782. 
June 10, 1781. 
June 3, 1783, 

[died Feb. 11, 1784. 
Feb. 20, 1785. 
Sept. 5, 1787. 
Nov. 21, 1789. 
; died Sept. 28, 1784. 
-; died Nov. 7, 1784. 



John Swallow and Deborah, 

Sarah. 
John, born Feb. 22, 
Amaziah, " Nov. 22, 
Benjamin, " Oct. 21, 



Sarah, " 
Peter, " 
Mary, " 
Deborah, " 
Elizabeth, " 
Hannah, " 



Nov. 25, 
Oct. 9, 
Feb. 28, 
Feb. 9, 
Dec. 17, 
Jan. 17, 



Jonathan, " June 22, 



1729-30. 
1731-2. 
1736, of 

Sarah. 
1741. 
1743. 
1746. 
1748. 
1750. 
1754, at 
Dunstable. 
1757, at do. 



Thomas Tarbell and Hannah* 
or Anna. 
(Married June 30, IG66.) 
Thomas, born July G, 1667. 
Anna, " June 10, 1670. 
William, " Oct. 1, 1672. 
Mary, " 2 d. 2 m. 1675. 
* Died Dec. 29, 1680. 

Thomas Tarbell* and Eliza- 
beth Blood. 
{Married Dec. 1, 1686.) 
Thomas, born Sept. 15, 1687. 
William, " June 10, 1689. 
Elizabeth, " Aug. 19, 1691. 



Sarah, born Sept. 29, 1693. 
John, " July 6,1695. 

Samuel, « Oct. 14,1697. 
Zachariah, « Jan. 25, 1699-1700. 
Anna, « May 28, 1702. 
James, " Feb. 13, 1704-5. 
Eleazer, " April28, 1707. 
* Died Jan. 24, 1717. 

Thomas Tarbell and Hannah, 
Abigail Parker. 
(Married Abigail Jan. 1, 171G-17.) 
Hannah, born July 1, 170:i. 



Rachel, 
Sarah, 

Thomas, " 

Abigail, " 

Sarah, " 

Jonathan, " 

Eunice, " 

David, " 

Emma, " 



Solomon, " 
Esther, " 



" Dec. 8, 1704. 
« Nov. 20, 1707. 
" Feb. 2, 1719, of 

Abigail. 
" June 6, 1722. 
" Apr. 14, 1726. 

Feb. 27, 1727. 

Mar. 7, 1730-1, 

[died Nov. 10, 1751. 

Aug. 21, 1732. 

June 16,1734, 

[died Nov. .3, 1751. 

Mar. 11, 1736-7. 

May 4,1739. 



William Tarbell and Mary 
Farnsworth. 

26, 1719. 
14, 1721. 
19, 1723. 
11, 1725. 

2, 1728. 

4, 1729-30. 
18, 1731. 
13, 173:3-4. 
30, 1736, 
Jan. 25, 1825. 
11, 1739. 

Samuel Tarbell and Lydia 
Farnsworth. 

(Married Dec. 29, 1725.) 

Lydia, born Oct. 9, 1727. 



William, born June 


Mary, " 
John, 


Sept. 
Aug. 


James, " 


Oct. 


Elizabeth, " 


May 


Alice, 


Mar. 


Susanna, " 


Mar. 


Hannah, " 


Mar. 


Benjamin, " 
Oliver, " 


Sept. 
[died 
July 



Anna, " 


Nov. 


12, 


1729. 


Sybil, 


Jan. 


16, 


1732-3 


Deborah, " 


Nov. 


18, 


1734. 


Martha, " 


Oct. 


2, 


1736. 


Sarah, " 


May 


15, 


1740. 



APPENDIX. 



441 



Mary, born July 25, 1742. 
Samuel, " April 4, 1746. 
Eunice, " July 6, 1753. 

Eleazer Tarbell •end Eliza- 
beth Bowers. 
(Married Dec. 20, 1727.) 
Elizabeth, born April 13, 1729. 
Zachariah, " Dec. 27, 1730. 
Eleazer, " Aug. 26, 1735. 
Jonas, " Mar. — , 1738. 

Sarah, " Seph 19, 1741, at 

Lunenburg. 
Samuel, " Sept. 18, 1744,do. 

Thomas Tarbell, Jr. and 
Esther. 
Sarah, born Jan. 19, 1742. 
Nathaniel, " Dec, 4, 1744. 
Edmund, " April 4, 1747. 
John, " June 4, 1749. 

Thomas, " Oct. 8, 1751. 
Jerusha, " Sept. 25, 1753. 

Jonathan Tarbell and Lydia.* 

Jonathan, born Oct. 23, 1755. 
Thomas, " Oct. 17, 1758. 
Ebenezer, 
Solomon, 

« Died July 16, 1805. 



Sept. 10, 1762. 



William Tarbell* and Sarah. 
William, born April 6, 1745. 
Nehemiah, " Oct. 3, 1747. 
Sarah, " Mar. 26, 1750. 

* Died Dec. 26, 1757. 

John Tarbell and Sarah Par- 
ker,* Hannah.j 
Sarah, born Jan. 20, 1759, 

[died Sept. 25, 1797. 
John, " Jan. 26, 1761. 

Alice, " Dec. 23, 1763. 
Edmund, " June 7, 1766, 

[died June 20, 1797. 
Elizabeth, " April 9, 1769. ' 
Asa, " Mar. 18, 1772. 

Abel, " Aug. 26, 1773. 

Hannah, " May 17, 1777. 
Peter, " Sept. 21. 1780. 

* Died April 9, 1754. 
t Died Aug. 6, 1729. 

56 



Benjamin Tarbell* and Azu- 

BAH. 

Benjamin, born Feb. 19, 1762. 

William, » Oct. 13, 1764. 

Jonas, " Feb. 17, 1767. 

Daniel, " Mar. 9, 1769. 

Sybil, " May 28, 1771. 

Azubah, " Oct. 20, 1775. 

Amos, " Jan. 31, 1778, 

Alice, " June 26, 1782. 

» Died Jan. 25, 1825. 

Oliver Tarbell and Lucy. 
Oliver, born April 15, 1766, 

[died May, 1766. 
Lucy, " June 6, 1767, 

[died Jan. 14, 1770. 
Oliver, " April 26, 1769. 
Lucy. " June 2, 1771. 

Abraham Taylor and Lydia. 
Leonard, born Oct. 20, 1735. 

Amos Taylor and Bridget. 
Amos, born Sept. 7, 1748. 
Edmund, " May 4, 1750. 

Thaddeus Taylor and Bridget. 
Thaddeus, born Oct. 25, 1768. 

Joshua Todd and Elizabeth. 
Jane, born July 10, 1751. 

Rev. Caleb Trowbridge* and 
Sarah Oliver,! Hannah Wal- 
ter. 
(Married Sarah, March 10, 1715 ) 
Oliver, born May 16, 1716, 

[died Sept. 28, 1723. 
Caleb, " Aug. 6, 1719, of 

Hannah. 
Nehemiah, " Sept. 19, 1721, 

[died Nov. 7, 1721. 
Nehemiah, " Oct. 14, 1722. 
Sarah, " Dec. 3, 1724. 

Hannah, " May 16, 1729. 
Maria, " Dec. 23, 1731. 

Thomas, " Nov. 12, 1734. 
Abigail, " Nov. 30, 1740, 
[married Hon. Eben. Champney. 

* Died Sept. 9, 1760. 
t Died Jan. 16, 1717. 



442 



GROTON. 



Caleb Trowbridge, Jr. and 
Elizabeth.* 

John, born April 8, 1739. 
Hannah, " July 15, 1741. 
Elizabeth, " Nov. 3, 1743. 
Sarah, « Oct. 4, 1745. 
Susannah, " June 8, 1747. 
Rebekah, « May 3, 1749, 

[died Jan. 4, 1753. 
Lydia, « April 3, 1751, 

[died Jan. 4, 1753. 
Edmund, « April 8, 1753. 
Rebekah, » May — , 1754. 
* Died Oct. 25, 1760. 

Nehemiah Trowbridge and 
Abigail.* 

Abigail, born June 11, 1765, 

[married Francis Champ- 
ney ; died, 1840. 
Mary, born June 27, 1776, 

[married Jonathan Loring. 

* Died Oct. 14, 1811. 

Thomas Trowbridge and LucT 
Woods, Ruth Nevers. 

Thomas, born . 

Lydia, •' Dec. 25, 1768, at 

Shirley. 
Oliver, « Oct. 23, 1764, do. 

Ruth, " , of Ruth. 

Lucy, " . 

Jonas, •' Oct. 19, 1773. 

Sally, " 

Hannah, " — . 

Martha, " . 

Abigail, " '—• 

John Trowbridge and Eliza- 
beth. 

Elizabeth, born Dec. 4, 1767. 

Anna, " Jan. 9,1770. 

Relief, " Nov. 19, 1771. 

John, " Aug. 13, 1773. 

Phinehas, " Sept. 2, 1775. 

Bela, « July 24, 1777. 

Edmund, " Jan. 31, 1780. 

Zebadiah, " Feb. 11, 1782. 

Jepthah, " Nov. 13, 1783. 



Moses Trull and Dorotht. 
Amos, born Oct 22, 1741. 

Josiah Tucker and Abigail. 

Hannah, born Feb. 7, 1729. 
Mary, " Mar. 12, 1731. 
Elizabeth, « Feb. 19, 1733-4. 
Phebe, " Aug. 25, 1736. 
Abigail, " Feb. 10, 1739. 
Swallow, " Aug. 26, 1742. 

James Tufts of Medford, and 

Phebe Woods. 

(Married Oct. 25, 1733.) 

James, born Aug. 27, 1734. 

Phebe, " Feb. 3, 1735. 

Hannah, " Mar. 27, 1738. 

Jonas Varnum and Lydia 
Boyden. 

(Married Feb. 12, 1733-4.) 

Lydia, born Oct. 5, 1735. 

Jonas, " Jan. 9, 1737. 

Mary, " Dec. 11, 1739. 

Elizabeth, " Mar. — , 1742. 

Sarah, " Feb. 4, 1745. 

Martha, " July 12, 1750. 

Hannah, " Nov. 25, 1752. 

Phinehas Wait* and Mart 
Hubbard. 
(Married March 14. 1731-2.) 
Elizabeth, born Jan. 31, 1732. 
Dorothy, " Sept. 9, 1734. 
Phinehas, " Nov. 12, 1736. 
* Died May 30, 1777. 

Phinehas Wait, Jr. and Sarah, 

Ede.* 
William, born Oct. 30, 1762. 
Sarah, " July 24, 1764. 
Mary, " June 25, 1766. 
John, " April 14, 1768, 

[died Mar. 3, 1776. 
Elizabeth, " April 18, 1770, 

[died Oct. 19, 1795. 
David, " Mar. 13, 1772. 
Joseph, " Mar. 1, 1774, 

[died June 23, 1774. 
Phinehas, " May 9, 1775, 

[died Aug. 10, 1775. 



APPENDIX. 



443 



Anna, born Jan. 26, 1778, of 

Ede ; died Sept. 14, 1795. 
Levi, born Jan. 26, 1780. 
Phinehas, " April 26, 1782. 
Thomas, " Nov. 15, 1786. 
Melinda, " April 18, 1791. 

* Died Oct. 8, 1793. 

Seth Walker and Eleanor. 

Abel, born April 20, 1734. 
Sybil, " Mar. 23, 1735-6. 

Ephraim Ware and Martha 
Parker.* 
Sarah, born Sept. 18, 1769. 
Bela, « July 12, 1771, 

[died Feb. 27, 1772. 
Bela, " July 9, 1773, 

[died Aug. 10, 1775. 

* Died April i, 1776. 
Richard Warner and Sarah 

GiLSON. 
(Married IMay 17, 1709.) 
Joseph, born Jan. 12, 1710, 

[died April 30, 1743. 
Rachel, " April 6, 1712, 

[died Sept. 23, 1723. 
Mary, " Mov. 10, 1714. 
Eunice, " July 21, 1716. 

Josiah Warren and Sarah 
Tarbell. 
(Married March 20, 1772 ) 
Josiah, born Jan. 23, 1773, 

[died Aug. 18, 1775. 
Sarah, " April 28, 1775. 
Jonas, « Nov. 6, 1777. 

Abijah Warren and Prudence 
Lawrence,* Susanna Green. 

(Married Prudence, Oct 29, 1766 ) 

Sally, born May 30, 176-. 
Prudence, " July 6, 1769. 
Abel, " Sept. 12, 1774, of 
Susanna. 
* Died Feb. 10, 1773. 



Moses Wentworth and Mind- 
well Stone. 
(Married Feb. 3, 174.7-8 ) 
Elizabeth, born Jan. 11, 1748. 
Eunice, " Dec. 18, 1750. 
Phebe, " Feb. 26, 1753. 

Oliver, » Feb. 8, 1762. 

Ephraim Wesson and Lydia. 
Ephraim, born Sept. 24, 1754. 
James, " June 10, 1757. 
Aaron, " Oct. 1, 1759. 
Samuel, " May 25, 1762. 
Sarah, " July 1, 1764. 

Joshua Wheat and Elizabeth, 
Moses, born Sept. — , 1686. 



Abraham Wheeler and Han- 




NAH. 


Abraham, 


born April 9, 1743. 


Hannah, 


" Sept. 18, 1744. 


Maltha, 


" Mar. 10, 1745. 


Shadrach, 


» April 14, 1747, 




[died Aug. 1, 1747. 


Abigail, 


" May 15, 1748. 


Zadock, 


" April 23, 1750. 


Shadrach, 


" Feb. 15, 1751, 




[died April 8, 1755 


Alice, 


" Sept. 24, 1753. 


Walter, 


« Jan. 30, 1755. 


Jesse, 


« Nov. 24, 1757. 


Lucy, 


" June 26, 1761. 



John Whitaker, Jr. and Thankt 

FUL. 

David, born Jan. 26, 1768. 
John, " Feb. 12, 1770. 
Susanna, " Mar. 18, 1772. 

Hezekiah Whitcomb and Han- 
nah. 
Hezekiah, born Dec. 22, 1707. 

Jonathan Whitcomb and Deb- 
orah.* 
Benjamin, born Dec. 31, 1711. 



444 



GROTON. 



Abner Whitcomb and Sarah. 
Abner, born Feb. 18, 1760. 



Samuel, 


' Jan. 


31, 


1763. 


John, 


' Aug. 


31, 


1764. 


Ebenezer, 


" July 


30, 


1766. 


Oliver, 


' June 


18, 


1768. 


Eli, 


' Feb. 


18, 


1770. 


Sarah, 


' Feb. 


2, 


1772. 


Ira, 


' Feb. 


13, 


1774. 



Thomas White and Hannah. 

Thomas, born Mar. 9, 1750. 
Hannah, " Feb. 14, 1752. 
Loammi, " Oct. 18, 1754. 
Francis, " June 29, 1757. 
Asa, " Jan. 8, 1760. 

Molly, » July 31, J762. 
Elizabeth, " Mar. — , 1765, 

[died, aet. 14 days. 
Mehitabel," Jan. 19, 1767. 



John, 



" Aug. 11, 1770. 



Thomas White, Jr. and Ruth. 
Thomas, born Jan. 21, 1772. 

.John- ^, Feb. 10, 1774. 

Farns worth, 

Joshua Whitney and Lydia. 

Joshua, born June 14, 1666. 
Sarah, " Oct. 10, 1668. 
Mary, " 1 d. 5 m. 1675. 

William Whitney and Lydia,* 

Margaret. 
William, born May 5,1701. 
Lydia, " Dec. 26, 1710. 
Joshua, " Nov. 1, 1714. 
John, " Jan. 30, 1717-18. 

Elizabeth, " Aug. 12, 1719. 
* Died Jan. 22, 1716. 

Cornelius Whitney and Sarah. 

Sarah, born April 17, 1715. 

Abigail, " Dec. 9, 1717. 

Matthias, " May 26, 1720. 

Mary, " Aug. 20, 1722. 

Joshua, " Dec. 1, 1724. 

Lydia, '• April 23, 1729. 

garah, " Jan. 8, 1731-2. 



Timothy Whitney and Submit. 
Sybil, born Mar. 31, 1739. 

Joseph Whitney and Abigail 

Nutting. 

(Married Dec. C, 1737.) 

Abigail, born Aug. 16, 1740. 
Benjamin," Oct. 27,1741. 
Lydia, " Aug. 10, 1743. 

Elijah Wiles and Anna. 

Elijah, born Nov. 10, 1745, 

[died Dec. 27, 1745. 
Elijah, " Nov. 9, 1746. 
Anna, » Feb. 22, 1748 
Ivory, » Nov. 25, 1751. 

Rev. Samuel Willard and 
Abigail Sherman. 

(Married Au^. 8, 1664.) 

Abigail, born July 5, 1665. 
Samuel, " Jan. 25, 1667. 
Mary, " Oct. 10, 1669. 
John, " Sept. 8, 1673. 

Elizabeth, " 27 d. 12 m. 1674. 

Henry Willard and Mary. 

(Married 18 d. 5m. 1674..) 

Henry, born 11 d. 2 m. 1675. 
Simon, " Oct. 8, 1678. 
Mary, " Sept. 3, 1682. 

Moses Willard and Susanna. 

Jemima, born June 29, 1728. 
Susanna, " Feb. 20, 1729-30. 
Huldah, " May 27, 1732. 
James-Nutting, born May 28, 1734, 
[at Lunenburg. 
Moses, born Aug. 15, 1738, at do. 

Thomas Williams * and Mary. 
(Married July 11, 1666.) 

Thomas, born 17 d. 1 m. 1666-7. 
John, " Nov. 3, 1668. 

Mary, " Feb. 3, 1672. 
Hannah, « 1 d. 12 m. 1674. 

* Died Aug. 3, 1704. 



APPENDIX. 



445 



Thomas Williams and Eliza- 
beth. 
Sarah, born June 8, 1692. 
Elizabeth, " Feb. 21, 1()94. 
Isaac, " June 19, 1(>99. 

Anna, " April ], 1702, 

[married Samuel Shattuck. 
Abigail, born July 5, 1704. 

Jason Williams and Mary. 
Jason, born Dec. 25, 1721. 
Josiah, " Aug. 9, 1725. 
Mary, " Mar. 7, 1729-30. 
Josiah, " April 4, 1735. 

John Williams and Margaret. 
William, born Dec. — , 1723. 
Margaret, " May 17, 1726. 
Anne, " Oct. 20. 1728. 

Sarah, " Sept. 10, 1731. 

Mary, " Dec. 7,1733. 

Elizabeth, " Sept. 23, 1736. 

Isaac Williams and Lydia 
Shattuck. 
(Married May 22, 1723) 
Thomas, born Oct. 24, 1724. 
Lydia, " Oct. 26, 1726. 

Jerusha, " Dec. 29, 1728. 
Elizabeth, " April 23, 1730. 
Isaac, " May 22, 1732. 

Sarah, " Oct. 12, 1734. 

Jonathan, " May 25, 1736. 
Anna, " June 15, 1738. 

John Williams, Jr., and Eliza- 
beth Cutter. 
(Married May 5, 1741.) 
Deborah, born Oct 26, 1741. 
Elizabeth, " May 15, 1744. 
John, « July 4,1746. 

Jason Williams and Jemima 
Nutting. 
(Married April 3, 174.9.) 
Jemima, born Oct. 10, 1749. 
Elizabeth, " Mar. 14, 1751. 
Jason, " Oct. 5, 1752. 
Daniel, " Feb. 17, 1754. 
Jacob, '' Aug. 28, 1755, 

[died May 2, 1829. 



Simeon, born June 10, 1758. 
Eunice, " July 23, 1760. 
Levi, " Jan. 26, 1762. 

Capt. John Williams* and 
Molly Everett. 
John, born Dec. 28, 1770, 

[died Oct. 19, 1773. 
Molly " July 7, 1772, 

[died Sept. 24, 1773. 
John, " April 1, 1774. 

Quincy, " Oct. 10, 1775. 
Molly, " Oct. 19, 1777, 

[died Nov. 7, 1777. 
Lucinda, « Nov. 22, 1780. 
Molly, " Sept. 22, 1782, 

[died Feb. 22, 1784. 
Lewis, " July 19, 1784. 
Clarissa, " Jan. 13, 1786. 
Everett, " April 26, 1788, 

[died June, 7, 1788. 
Persis, " May 19, 1789. 
Everett, " April 26, 1791. 
* Died July I, 1822, lel. 82. 

Joseph Wilson and Sarah. 
Joseph, born Feb. 2,3, 1733-4. 
Sarah, " July 26, 1736. 
Elizabeth," July 4, 1739. 
John, " Sept. 7, 1742. 
David, " June 3, 1745. 
Esther, " June 14, 1748. 
Susanna, " Aug. 14, 1751. 

Benjamin Wilson and Ruth 
Bush.* 
(Married Sept. 28, 1738.) 
Ruth, born Jan. 14, 1738. 
Benjamin, " Dec. 26, 1740. 
Betty, " Feb. 3, 1742, 

[died April 12, 1743. 
Susan, " Oct. 26, 1744. 

* Died Nov. 4, 1744, aet. 25 yrs. 3 days. 

Zachariah Withee and Esther 
Kemp. 
(Married July 21, 1748.) 
Abigail, born Dec. 15, 1749. 
Zachariah, " July — , 1752. 
Samuel, " April 24, 1754. 
Susanna, " Nov. 4, 1756, 



446 



GROTON. 



Luke, born Nov. 13, 1759. 
Zoah, (a son) April 27, 17G8. 

Charles Witherell and Ruth. 
Obadiah, born Aug. 20, 1748. 
Charles, " May 27, 1751. 

Samuel Woods and Alice. 
Thomas, born Mar. 9, 1G63. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 17, 1665. 
Nathaniel, " Mar. 27, 1667-8. 
Mary, " Aug. 2, 1670. 

Abigail, " Aug. 19, 1672. 
Hannah, " 18 d. 7m. 1674. 

[died Sept. 29, 1703. 

Nathaniel Woods and Alice. 
Nathaniel born Oct. 19, 1694. 
Daniel, " Aug. 10, 1696. 

John, " Mar. 4, 1698. 

Isaac , « Feb . 20, 1699- 1 700 . 

Bathsheba, " April 5, 1702, 

[married Collins Mores. 
Hannah, born Mar. 16, 1704, 

[married John Farmer. 
Phebe, " Feb. 13, 1705-6. 
Aaron, " May 26, 1707. 
Moses, " July 6, 1709. 
Reuben, " April 11, 1711. 
Pliebe, " Mar. 13, 1713. 
Jonathan, " June 4, 1716. 

Nathaniel Woods and Sarah 

Brown * of Stow. 

(Married July 3, 1721.) 

* Died March 3, 1724-5. 

Married \V id. Mary Derbyshire, Sept. 

14, 1723. 

Samuel Woods and Hannah. 

Susannah, born . 

Rachel, " . 

Alice, " Dec. 26, 1700. 

Abigail, " Sept 12, 1703. 
Esther, " Nov. 13, 1705. 

Joseph, " June 21, 1707. 

Martha, " April 15, 1709. 

Thomas Woods and Hannah, 
Esther, born July 29, 1697. 
Josiah, " Sept. 15, 1701. 



Elizabeth, born Nov. 9, 1702. 
Thomas, " Nov. 25, 1705. 

Samuel Woods * and Patience 

BiGELOW.f 

(Married Nov. 29, 1720.) 
Elizabeth, born Aug. 29, 1721. 
Samuel, " Dec. 2, 1722. 
Hannah, " Dec. 1, 1724. 
Abigail, " Dec. 11, 1726. 
Eunice, « Feb. 24, 1729. 
James, " Aug. 22, 1731. 

William, " Oct. 17, 1735. 
Mary, " Mar. 16, 1738. 

* Died April 10, 1773. 
t Died Jan. 23, 1771. 

Nathaniel Woods, Jr., and 
Alice. 
Daniel, born Dec. 10, 1726. 
Ebenezer, " Dec. 19, 1728. 
Oliver, " Sept. 26, 1730. 
Nathaniel," June 3, 1732. 
John, « July 1,1734., 

Isaac Woods and Abigail 

Stevens. 

(Married Sept. 21, 1723.) 

Isaac, born Oct. 29, 1725. 
Ephraim, " April 25, 1727, 

[died Aug. 12, 1757. 
Thomas, " Dec. 29, 1728, 

[died Feb. 10, 1756. 
Nehemiah, " Dec. 6, 1731. 
Henry, " Sept. 4, 1733. 
Jonas, " May 21, 1735, 

[died Aug. 22, 1756, at Fort Wil- 
liam Henry. 
Caleb, born Jan. 22, 1737. 
Prudence, " Oct. 8, 1738, 

[died Oct. 27, 1738. 
Samson, " May 6, 1740, 

[died Aug. 22, 1757, at Albany. 
Sarah, born Aug. 17, 1742, 

[married Robert Ames. 
Solomon, born Aug. 29, 1747. 

John Woods and Sarah Long- 
ley. 

(Married June 3,"1725.) 
Sarah, born May 6, 1726. 
John, " Aug. 27, 1728, 

[died Aug. 31, 1728. 



APPENDIX. 



447 



Susanna, born May 5, 1730. 
Alice, " May 30, 1732. 
Lucy, « May 18, 1735, 

[married Thomas Trowbridge. 
John, born Aug. 1, 1737, 

[died June — , 1823. 
Benjamin," Oct. 13, 1739, 
Abigail, " Jan. 21, 1745. 
David, « Dec. 31, 1746. 

Amos Woods and Hannah Nut- 
ting. 
(Married Julys, 1733.) 
Hannah, born Mar. 4, 1734. 
Esther, « June 12, 1736. 
Mary, « Feb. 31, 1737-8. 
Sybil, " Feb. 6, 1740. 
Lydia, " Jan. 23, 1745. 
Amos, « Dec. 17, 1748. 

Aaron Woods and Sarah Boyn- 

TON. 

(Married April 3, 1739.) 
Sarah, born Jan. 30, 1739-40. 
Lemuel, " Sept. 23, 1742. 

MosEs Woods and Esther 
Houghton. 

(Married Nov. 22, 1733.) 
Esther, born Sept. 2, 1735. 



Hannah, 
Bathsheba, " 
Deborah, " 
Martha, " 
Anne, " 

Moses, *' 



Sept. 28, 1737. 
Nov. 3, 1739. 
April 14, 1742. 
April 3, 1744. 
Sept. 9, 1746. 
Feb. 16, 1749. 



Jonathan Woods and Mart. 
Mary, born Jan. 31, 1738-9. 



Jonathan, " 
Phebe, » 
Joseph, " 
Rachel, " 
Jonathan, " 
Alice, " 
Levi, " 



April 3, 1741. 
Feb. 14, 1742. 
May 4, 1745. 
Mar. 30, 1746. 
May 5, 1749. 
Feb. 14, 1750. 
May 10, 1753. 



Ebenezer Woods and Eunice 

BOTDEN. 

(Married June 25, 1752.) 

Alice, born April 12, 1753. 



Ephraim 


W« 


JODS and Bathshe- 


Sybil born Mar. 31, 1752. 


Reuben 


Woods and Wid. Sub- 




mit 


Whitney. 


(Married June 11, 1741.) 


Reuben, 


born Mar. 30, 1742, 


Abel, 




[died Oct. 24, 1760 
Jan. 2, 1743. 


Betty, 

Timothy, 

Submit, 




Sept. 18, 1745. 
May 3, 1747. 
Feb. 18, 1748. 


Daniel, 




Jan. 27, 1750. 


Anna, 
Jonathan 




April 16, 1753. 
April 26, 175.5. 


Abigail, 




Mar. 20, 1757. 


Oliver, 
Reuben, 




Sept. 17, 1758. 
Dec. 7, 1760. 



Samuel Woods and Tabitha. 
Maria, born June 23, 1748. 
Rebekah, " Mar. 24, 1750. 
Samuel, "» April 14, 1753. 
Sarah, " April 3, 1756. 
Mary, " Dec. 1, 1757, 

[died Sept. 15, 1758. 



Nathaniel Woods and Anne. 
Anne, born Feb. 16, 1755 
Aug. 9, 1756. 

Nov. 29, 1757. 
Nov. 22, 1759. 
Sept. 6, 1760. 
May 29, 1763. 



John- 
French, 
Jonas, " 
Alice, " 
Nathaniel, " 
Peter, " 



Nehemiah Woods and Sarah. 
Jonas, born Sept. 4, 1759. 

Henry Woods and Deborah 
Parker. 
(Married April 13, 1756.) 
Henry, born Dec. 1 1, 1756. 
Deborah, " Aug. 2, 1758. 

Solomon Woods and Mary. 
Mary, born Jan. 24, 1771. 
Susanna, " Nov. 12, 1772. 



448 



GROTON, 



Isaac, born Feb. 13, 1775. 
Asa, " Nov. 17, 1776. 

Diclamia, " Oct. 28, 1778. 
Prudence, " May 22, 1780. 
Solomon, " April 10, 1782. 



John Woods, Jr.* and Hannah 
Goodhue. 

(Married Nov. 10, 1708 ) 

Oliver, born Sept. 9, 1769. 
Achsah, " April 28, 1771. 
Lucy, " Mar. 12, 1773. 
Eber, " June 27, 1774. 
John, " July 31, 1776. 

* Died June, 1823, set. 86, nearly. 



David Woods and Deborah. 



David, born 
Deborah, " 
Sarah, " 
William, " 
Ezra, " 
Warren, " 
Silas, " 
Emerson, " 
Charlotte," 
Ziba, " 
Imri, " 



April 

Oct. 

May 

Jan. 

Jan. 

Mar. 

Nov. 

Mar. 

Aug. 

Feb. 

June 



25, 1771. 
5, 1772. 

11, 1774. 
7, 1776. 

12, 1778. 
12, 1780. 
23, 1781. 

21, 1783. 
25, 1785. 

22, 1787. 
14, 1789. 



Caleb Woods and Betty Cum- 
MiNGS, of HoUis. 

(IVlarried Nov. 26, 1767.) 

Caleb, born Sept. 4, 1768. 
Betty, " May 16, 1770. 

ll7eZ" N-. 24.1771. 
Sept. 12, 1773. 
July 23, 1775. 
Aug. 23, 1777. 
Mar. 24, 1779. 
Mar. 29, 1781. 

June 10, 1784. 



Caty, 

Alethea, " 
Noah, " 
Jonas, " 
Rebekah, '^ 
Henry- ^^ 
Farwell, 
Hannah- ^^ 
Farwell, 



Aug. 11, 1786. 



Lemuel Woods and Sarah. 
Sarah, born Jan. 16, 1769. 

Abel Woods and Anna. 

Abel, born Feb. 17, 1768. 
Benjamin, " Mar. 10, 1770. 



Anna, " July 15', 


1772. 


Phillip, « Aug. 16, 


1774. 


Patty, " Sept. 16, 


1776. 


Elizabeth, " May 27, 


1779. 


Jacob, " June 21, 


1782. 



Samuel Woods, Jr. and Re- 
bekah Brooks. 

(Married Aug. 13, 1771.) 

Samuel, born Oct. 6, 1771. 

James Woods and Abigail 
Howard. 

(Married Feb. 6, 1760.) 

James, born April 19, 1761. 
Nahum, » l^fov. 14, 1763. 
Jotham, " Mar. 3, 1766. 
Abigail, " Jan. 20, 1769. 
Rachel, » April 9, 1771, 

[married Bill-Wright Stevens. 

Asa Worcester and Anna 
Parker. 

(Married Dec. 15, 1763.) 

Anna, born Dec. 10, 1765. 
Mary, " Mar. 20, 1767. 
Abigail, « Feb. 26, 1769. 

Samuel Wright and Hannah 
Lawrence. 

(Married Jan. 18, 1732-3.) 

Samuel, born Oct. 15, 1733. 
David, " 
Josiah, " 
Jonas, " 
Nathaniel, " 



Daniel, " 
Nathaniel, " 



Aug. 19, 1735. 
July 31, 1737. 
Aug. 12, 1739. 
Aug. 5, 1741, ■ 
[died Mar. 6, 1743. 
Sept. 20, 1743. 
Sept. 26, 1746. 



APPENDIX, 



449 



ILLEGITIMATES. 



Mothers. 
Mary Ames, 
Rebecca Archibald, 
Lydia Bennett, 

Lydia Bennett, 

Anna Blanchard, 
Elizabeth Buttrick, 
Sarah Davis, 
Mary Davis, 

Barbara Farmer, 

Abigail Farmer, 
Elizabeth Holden, 
Bethiah Kemp, 

Sybil Kemp, 
Ruth Lakin, 
Phebe Lawrence, 
Phebe Lew, 
Sarah Nichols, 
Phebe Nutting, 
Zebina, (slave of^ 
Abraham Moors, ^ 



. Children. 
Thomas, 
Edmund, 
Esther Woods, 

< Nathan Fisk, ) 
^ Samuel Fisk, ^ 

Simon Lakin, 
Joseph, 

William Holden, 
Anna, 

< Lydia Nutting', 

I Rachel Nutting, 
Abigail Corey, 
Oliver Sheple, 
Joseph Saunderson, 

Calvin, 

William Farwell,* 
Eleazer, 
William Barr, 
John Trowbridge, 
Lydia Nutting,f 

Titus, 



May 24, 1754. 
Aug. 9, 1772. 
Mar. 19, 1725-6. 

April 14, 1730. 



Mar. 
Oct. 
Feb. 
Jan. 
Oct. 
Oct. 
Nov. 
Dec. 
Aug. 

July 
Oct. 
24 d. 
May 
Jan. 
Feb. 



21, 1713. 

26, 1743. 

17, 1723-4. 
25, 1777. 

27, 1729. 
27, 1739. 
10, 175(j. 
Hi, 1782. 
30, 1714, at 
Chelmsford. 

13, 1763. 
1, 1737. 
12 m. 1675. 
6, 1778. 

18, 1762. 
21, 1769. 



Mar. — , 1761. 



# Died June, 1819, set. S'J. 



t Died Aug. 16, 1781. 



MARRIAGES IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER. 



1664, 

1665, 

1666, 
<t 

1667, 
1669, 

1670, 

(( 

1672, 

ti 

1674, 



Rev. Samuel Willard, 
Jonathan Sawtell, 
Thomas Tarbell, 
Thomas Williams, 
James Robertson, 
James Blood, 
Cornelius Church, 
Nathaniel Blood, 
William Longley, 
Alexander Rouse, 
Henry Willard, 
John Niittinor, 



Abigail Shearman. 

Mary • 

Hannah . 

Mary . 

Elizabeth . 



Elizabeth Longley. 
Mary 



Aug. 8. 

July 3. 

June 30. 

Aug, 11. 

Jan. 16. 

Sept. 7. 

June 4. 

June 13. 

May 15. 

May 15. 

5m. 18d. 

lOm.lld. 
#O0^ T^» rcbj «. Uw ' 8ft « %Mcl « W .tJlii id ,,»ij f i TWli iiN . " ' Ijli^ rl i U i l i P l uU woTTfe. 
1686, Dec. 1. Thomas Tarbell, Elizabeth Blood. 

1690, Sept. 22. Joshua Parker, Abigail Morse. 

" Dec. 9. James Dutton, Mary Robbins. [ter. 

1706, Dec. 12. Samuel Farnsworth, Mary Willard, of Lancas- 

1706-7, Jan. 3. John Nutting, Mary Parker. 

57 



Hannah Parker. 

Lydia 

Judith .U s * 

Mary W^^TM* 

[lyrer* Mary 



450 



GROTON. 



1707, 


Apiil 17. 


" 


April 24. 


1707-8, 


M;,r. 2. 


1708, 


April 19. 


" 


Sept. 28. 


170.3-9, 


Foh. 1. 


170!>, 


May 17. 


1710-11, 


, Mar. 7. 


<t 


Mar. 15. 


1711, 


Nov. 20. 


<i 


Dec. 13 


1712, 


Jniy 13. 


171-2-13, 


Mar. 24. 


1713, 


Oct. 13. 


1713-14, 


Feb. 16. 


" 


Feb. 2(;. 


i< 


Mar. 16. 


<( 


Mar. IC. 


(1 


Mar. 16. 


1714, 


July 30. 


1715, 


Nov. 29. 


1715-lG, 


Jan. 24. 


1716, 


May 15 


<i 


Nov. 22. 


a 


Dec. 20. 


i7ir>-i7, 


, Jan I. 


1717, 


July 25. 


« 


Nov. 21. 


1717-18, 


Jan. 14. 


" 


Feb. 12. 


1718, 


April 30. 


" 


Dec. 11. 


i( 


Dec. 11. 


1718-19 


, Mar. 24 


1719, 


May 6. 


" 


May 22. 


<i 


June 25. 


ii 


June 25. 


X 


Aug 11. 


<( 


Sept. 2. 


<< 


Nov. 12. 


(< 


Dec 9. 


u 


Dec. 21. 


11 


Dec. 24. 


1719-'20 


, Mar. — . 


1720, 


Oct. 27. 


" 


Nov. 29. 


1720-1, 


Jan. 3. 


1721, 


May 22. 


" ■ , 


, Miiy 24. 


'»« ■ VJhb^ 1. 


<( 


July 3. 


«' 


Oct. 30. 


"■^u 


Nov. 10. 


1721-2, 


Feb. 1. 


« 


Feb. 7. 


<( 


Mar. 8. 


1722, 


April 3. 



FAyenrzer Fartiswortb, 

Daniel Cndv, [ford, 

Abraham Byuin, of Cbeiiiis- 

Janie>: KiHred;;(', of Billeri- 

Stephen Farr, of Stow, [ca, 

Isaac Wil'.iniiis, of Newton, 

Richard Warner, [insford. 

Sain'l Chaiiiberlin, of Ciicl- 

Wiiliani Siiatlnck, 

John Goss, of Lancaster, 

Ebenezer Nutting, 

John Blood, 

Jonaiiian Lakin, 

John Chaniberlin, [ly, 

Siinioel Winter, of Killing- 

Geishoin Hobait, 

William Powars, of Concord, 

Thomas Farr, 

Joseph Powars, 

Jo.ieph Saunderson, 

John Parker, 

Joseph Parker, 

Jonathan Whilconib, 

John Holden, [ble, 

William Lund, of Dunsta- 

Thonias T.trbell, 

Benjamin Hazen, 

Abraham Moors, 

Jos'.ah Sawteli, of Lancaster, 

James Lakin, 

Jonas Prescott, Jr., 

Benjamin Parker, 

Naihauiel Holden, 

William Shattuck, 

Eleazer Gilson, 

Joim Parker, 

Eleazer Nuiting, 

Jonalhati Shattuck, 

Moses Bennett, 

Stephen Holden, 

J(jhii Spencer, 

Daniel Pierce, 

William Banks, 



Joseph Farwell, 
Josiali Fainsworlh, 
Jonathan Parker, 
Samuel Woods, 
Robert Robbins, of Littleton, 
Zachariah Maynard, of Sud- 
Ehenezer Prescott, [bury, 
Daniel Boynton, 
Nathaniel Woods, 
Ephraiin Pierce, 
Obacliah Sawtell, 
Richard Rice, 
Robert Dick>on, 
Eleazer Green, Jr., 
Jonathan Shed, 



F.lizabeih Whitney. 
Al.ioail Cr.dy. 
Mary Fi.ske. 

Maiy Abbott, of Andovcr. 
Sarah Sloiie. 
Martha Whitney. 
Sarah Gilson. 
Sarah Gilson. 
Abigail Shattuck. 
Mary Woods. 
Ruth Shattuck. 
Joanna Nutting. [cord. 
Wid. Sarah Corey, of Con- 
Abigail Woods. 
Elizabeth Philbrook. 
Lydia Ntitiing. 
Lydia Perham. 
Elizabeth Powars. 
Hannah Whitcomb, both 
Sarah Page, [of Nashobah. 
Mary Brad.-itreet. 
Abigail Sawtell. 
Deliverance Nutting. 
Sarah Davis. 
Rachel Holden. 
Abigail Parker. 
Elizabeth Blanchard. 
Elizabelii Gilson. 
Wid. Lydia Parker. 
Elizabeth Williams. 
Mary Page. 
Mary Sawtell. 
Abigail Stone. 
Deliverance Pease. 
Hannah Farwell, 
Joanna Ames. 
Abigail Davis. 
Ellzvibeth Chamberlin. 
Anna Blanchard. 
Hannah Sawtell. 
Bethiah Kemp. 
Eleanor Boynton. 
Hannah Wortsamog, late 

of Lancaster, by Francis 

Fulltim, Justice. 
Mary Gilson. 
Mary Pierce, 
Sarah Pierce. 
Patience Bigelow. 
Wid.ElizabethCummings. 
Hannah Waters. 
Hannah Farnsworth. 
Jemima Brown. 
Sarah Brown, of Stow, 
Esther Shed." ^' • 

Rachel Parker. 
Sarah Corey. 
Wid. Abigail Parker, 
Anna Tarbell. 
Sarah Barren. 



APPENDIX. 



451 



17->2, 



Nt'.: 



1723, 



1724-5, 
1725, 



1725-6, 



1726, 



1726-7, 



1727, 



1727-8, 
1723, 

(t 
■< 
1728-9, 

1729, 

(< 
li 

(C 

1729-30 



Tilay 2. Callins Mores, of Oxford, 
Mmv :^I). Jnhn BLincliard, of Dun-ta- 
Jiiiii' 27. William Liu\iince, [ble. 
July 12. .Foshim Hutchins, 
Sept. 22. Josepli Blanclianl, of Dun- 
Dec. 8. John Gilson, [stable, 
Dec. 2(). John Stone. Jr., 
Mar. 27. Benj;iiniii Bennett, 
April 30. 'rh(ji!ins Woods, 
May 22. Isaac Williams, 
Dec. 24. Thomas Farwell, 
July 7. Jeremiah Shattuck, 
Feb. 25. Jonathan Green, 
April 27. John Farmer, of Billerica, 
June 3. John Woods, 
June 15. David Pierce, 
Sept. 14. Nathaniel Woods, 
Sept. 21. Isaac Woods, 
Oct. 20. Daniel F.irnsworth, 
Dec. 19. Samuel Tarhell, 
Jan. 13. Timothy B-irron, 
Jan. 27. Samuel Shattuck, Jr., 
J;ni. 27. Isaac Lakin, 
P'eb, 16. J"hn Slieple, Jr., 
Mar. 9. John Burt, 
April 26. Ezra Farnswoi ih, 
April 26. Michael Gil-on, [m.sford. 
May 31. Timothy Spaulding,of(Jhel- 
Nov 22. James Shattuck, 
Dec. 28. James Stone, 
Jan. 12. Samuel Fiske, 
Mar. 9. William Green, 
Mar. 21. Daniel Davis, 
April 20. Dudley Bradstreet, [cord, 
Autr. 4. Ebenezer Hartwell,ot Con- 
Sept. 28. Samuel Cumniings, 
Sept. 28. Moses Willard, 
Nov. 8. Jonas Gilson, 
Nov. 8. Jonathan Page, 
Nov. 14. Jacob Ames, 
Nov. 23. John Grout, 
Dec. 20. Eleazer Tarbell, 
Feb 27. Samuel Davis, 
Feb. 28. Daniel Sawtell, 
May 9. Joseph Stone, 
June 20. Hezekiah Usher, [stable. 
Sept. 26. Joseph Blanchard, of Dun- 
Oct. 11. John Stevens, 
Dec. 26. Jonathan Sheple, 
Feb. 4. Nathaniel Lawrence, Jr., 
Mar. 24. Aaron Farnsworth, 
May 17. Thomas Wartley, 
Sept. 11. John Wheelock, 
Oct. 27. John Lakin, 
Dec. 18. Elia.s Elliot, 
Dec. 30. Ebenezer Jefis, 
, Jan. 7. Josiah Boyden, 
Jan. 13. Isaac Gilson, 
Jan. 28. Jacob Lakin, 
Feb. 2. Nathan Barron, 



Bnlhsheba Woods. 
Mary Sawtell. 
Susanna Prcscolt. 
Sarah Shed. 
Ribekah Hobart. 
Mary Sliatluck, 
Elizabeih Faiwell. 
Mary Lakin. 
Abiir.iil Chamberlin. 
Lvdia Sliatluck. 
Elizabeth Pierce. 
Sarah Parker. 
Sarah Lakin. 
Hannah Woods. 
Sarah Loni>ley. 
Elizabeih Bowers. 
VVid Mary Derbyshire. 
Abigail Stevens. 
Wid. Abigail Shed. 
Lydia Farnsworth. 
Hannah Fletcher, of Chel- 
Amia Williams, [msford. 
Elizabeth Shattuck. 
Elizabeih Boyden. 
Elizabeih Nutting. 
Eliz.ibeth Lakin. 
Hannah Sawiell. 
Thankful Prescott. 
Sarah Chamberlin?^ 
Mary Farwell. 
Elizabeth Parker. 
Hannah Holden. 
Lydia Ames. 
Abigail Lakin, 4ih. 
Rachel Farnsworih. 
Sarah Hastings, ll"^a> 
Hannah Hastings, ! S.^| 
Hannah Goodridge, | ^= I 
Mary Farnsworth, J =^ j 
Ruth Shattuck, ^. _, _ 
Joanna Boynton,^ key iiiiis. 
Elizabeth Bowers, ^^^^^^gf 
Sarah Boynton, \t. hiiis. 
Esther Heald, of Concord. 
Mary Prescott. , ,, , 

t both of 

Abigail Cleaveland,? Charles- 
Rebecca Hubbard. '"""• 
Martha Farnsworth. 
Lydia Lakin. 
Dorothy Chamberlin. 
Hannah Barron [Dunsfa. 
Mehitabel Yarrow, both of 
Martha Woods, both of Lan- 
Lydia Parker. [caster. 

Ruth Lawrence. 
Elizabeth Farnsworth. 
Eunice Parker. 
Dorothy Kemp. 
Eunice Lakin. 
Abial Yarrow. 



452 



GROTON. 



17-2!)- 


■30^ 


, Feb. 24. 


17:w, 




May 7. 


1730- 


•1, 


Jan. 12. 
Jan. 28. 
Feb. 9. 
F.h. 11. 


1731, 

tt 

i< 




Mar. 26. 
April 14. 
April 22. 
April 27. 
May 13. 


>( 




June 25. 
Nov. 4. 
Nov. 30. 


1731- 


o 


Jan. 5. 
Jan. 6. 
Jan. 13. 
Mar. 14. 


1732, 




April 4. 
April 9. 
April 25. 
April 2(5. 


It 
>< 




July 12. 
Oct. 26. 
Oct. 26. 
Nov. 2. 


« 




Nov. 14. 
Nov. 23. 


173-2- 


■3, 


Jan. 4. 
Jan. 18. 


>( 




J.n. 30. 
Feb. 20. 


1733, 
It 




June 21. 
July 5. 
Sept. 12. 
Oct. 25. 
Nov. 1. 
N..V. 22. 


(( 




Dec. 6. 


1733-4, 


Jan. 23. 


" 




Jan. 2'.). 


'< 




Feb. 2d. 


1734, 




Sept. 18. 
Nov. 7. 
Upo. 5. 


1734- 


-5, 


Ft'b. 12. 
Mar. 19. 
Mar 20. 


1735, 




April 17. 

Nov. 25. 


1735- 


-0, 


Jan. 21. 


" 




Jan. 28. 
Feb. 11. 
Feb. 25. 


1736, 




Mar. 30. 


ti 




May 13. 
June 23. 


1736-7, 


Jan. 13. 


»' 




Feb. 2. 


4i 




Mar. 22. 



Matthias Farnsworth, 
Nathan Whipple, 
Jonathan Gates, of Stow, 
Jonas Variiuin, [nenburg. 
Jeremiah Noicross, of Lu- 
Phinehas Parker, Jr., 
Nathaniel Nutting, 
Stephen Ames, 
John Fife, 
David Ri;ssell, 
Ephraini Nutting, 
Eleazer Lawrence, 
John Kemp, 

Samuel Ramlall, of Stow. 
Sliailrach Whitney ,of North 
Wiliiaiii Spauldmg. [Town. 
Ebenezer Lakin, 
Phinehas Wail, [Town, 
Jrtnies Hosley, of Noith 
John Scott, 
John Albee, 
Jonathan Pratt, 
Thomas Merrifield,[namisco 
Solomon Prentice, of Hassa- 
Ephraim Cady,of KiUinijly, 
David Farmer, of Lunen- 
John Shed, [bur^, 

Joisiah Uiliard, Jr., of Lu- 
William Loniiley, [nenburg, 
Samuel Wright, 
Saniuel Cummings, 
James Lawrence, [burg, 
John G(5odri<lge, of Lunen- 
Amos Woods, 
John Page, 

James Tufts, of Medford, 
Jonathan Lampson, of Con- 
Mo'ies Woods, [cord, 

Nathaniel Parker, 
Ebenezer Gilson, 
Ennsh Lawrence, [stable, 
William Blanchard, of Dun- 
Samuel Cummings, of New 
Simon Lakin, [Slierburn, 
Zachariah Lawrence, Jr., 
Jonas Varnum, 
Samuel Bowers, Jr , 
Amos Farnsworth, 
Stephen Barron, [stable, 
Ebenezer Procter, of Dun- 
Plimehas Burt, 
John Cumuiings, 
William Blood; 
David Shatlnck,;^ 
Wilharn Paiker, 
Benjamin Stone, 
John Fletcher, 
Isaac Nutting, 
Samuel Kemp, 3d, 
Capt. Jonathan Boyden, 



Abigail Shed. 

Hannah Boynton. 

Elizabeth Farwell. 

Mary Sheple. 

Faiih Page. 

Mary Kemp. 

Elizabeth Page. 

Jane Bobbins. 

Jane Garvin. [tieton. 

Mary Clark, both of Lit- 

Lydia Spauhling. 

Lucy Tuttle, ot Littleton. 

Sarah Holden. 

Priscilla Farnsworth. 

Prudence Lawrence. 

Hepzibah Blood. 

Lydia Lakin. 

Mary Hubbard. 

Eunice Jewett. ° 

Mary Chamberlin. 
Abigail Seaile, both of 
Mary Bowers. [N.Town. 
Mary Anderson. 
Mrs [Mi-s?] Sarah Saw- 
Abigail Barron. [tell. 
Elizabeth Woods. 
Elizabeth Shattuck. 
Hannah Hubbard. 
Mary Parker. 
Hannah Lawrence. 
Prudence Lawrence. 
Mary Martin. 
Eunice Scripture. 
Hannah Nutting. 
Mary Parker. 
Phebe Woods. 
Eleanor Blood. 
Esther Houghton. 
Joanna Stevens. 
Anna Seail. 
Sarah Stevens. 
Deliverance Parker. 
Sarah Rohljins. 
Hannah Butler. 
Sarah Lawrence. 
Lydia Boyden. 
Deborah Farnsworth. 
Lydia Longley. 
Sybil Parker. 
Elizabeth Blood. 
Sarah Busli. [tieton. 
Sarah Lawrence, of Lit- 
Martha Lawrence. 
Dorothy Varnum.^' 
Susanna Kemp, 
Emma Paiker. 
Lydia Patch. 
Lydia Nutting. 
Elizabeth Gilson. 
Wid. Elizabeth Sheple, 



APPENDIX. 



453 



1736-7, Mar. 23. James Fiske, 

" Mar. 23. Jeremiah Lawrence, 

" Mar. 24. William Farnswortli, [ble. 

1737, April 13. Josiah Blodget, of Dunsta- 
" May 26. Simon Pierce, 

*• June 2. Joseph Saunderson, 

" June 9. Samuel Hartwell, 

" June 23. Samuel Farwell, 

" July 5. Joseph Priest, of Harvard, 

" July 21. John Kelsey, 

" Nov. 1. INehemiah Gould, 

" Nov. 23. Zerubbabel Kemp, Jr., 

" Dec. 6. Joseph Whi'tiey, [cook, 

" Dec. 22. Benjamin Chandler, of Sun- 

1737-8, Jan. 18. William Nutting, [ton. 

" Feb. 22. James Hartwell, of Liltle- 

" Mar. 23. Samuel Parker, Jr , 

" Mar. 23. William Knox, of Suncook, 

1738, April 19. David Saunderson, 
" Aug. 29. Nehemiah Jewett, 

" Sept 18. Caleb Trowbridge, Jr., 

" Sept. 28. Benjamin Wilson, 

" Dec. 5. John Irvine, 

1738-9, Feb. 1. John Longley, Jr., [bury, 

" Mar. 6. Robert Campbell, of Rox- 

1739, April 1. Aaron Woods, 
" April 2G. James Green, 

" June 7. Shebuel Hobart, Jr., [ble, 

" June 26. Isaac Colburn, of Dunsta- 

" Oct. 11. James Park, 

" Nov. 21. Joseph Page, 

" Dec. 11. John Shattuck, 

1740, April 2. Benjamin Hazen, 
" May 1. David Blood, 

" July 23. Samuel Bason, 

" Aug. 4. Daniel Douglass, 

'« Sept. 17. Zachariah Lawrence, 

" Nov. 11. William Kemp, 

1740-1, Mar. 5. John Burt, 

1741, May 5. John Williams, 
" May 13. Uriah Sawtell, 

" May 25. Nathaniel Parker, Jr., 

" June 11. Reuben Woods, 

«* Sept 16. Isaac Phillips, 

'« Oct. 6. Daniel Shed, 

" Nov. 11. Josiah Brown, of Littleton, 

" Nov. 12. Nathan Rugg, of Lancaster, 

" Nov. 12. John Mosier, 

" Nov. 26. EInathan Blood, 

" Dec. 8. John Blood, Jr., 

1741-2, Jan. 14. Seth Walker, Jr., 

«' Jan. 19. Thomas Tarbell, Jr., [ter. 

" Feb. 4. Ephraim Divol, of Lancas- 

" Feb. 4. James Blood, Jr., 

«' Mar. 4. Peter Parker, 

" Mar. 11. Thomas Fisk, 

" Mar. 2-j. Thomas Patch, 

1742, May 6. William Saunderson, 

" July 15. John Farwell, of Harvard, 

July 22. Oliver Farwell, 



Lydia Bennett. 
Elizabeth Chamberlin, 
Ruth Hobart. 
Jemima Nuttino-. 
Susanna Parker. 
Ruth Parker. 
Sarah Holden. 
Elizabeth Moors. 
Elizabeth Atkin.son. 
Elizabeth Russell. 
Esther Bowers. 
Abigail Lawrence. 
Abigail Nutting. 
Phebe Lakin, 
Jane Boynton. 
Jemima Frost. 
Mary Lakin. 
Lydia Irvine. 
Eunice Warner. 
Lydia Blood. 
Elizabeth Houghton. 
Ruth Bush. 
Mary Gilson. 
Mary Lawrence. 
Elizabeth McDaniels. 
Sarah Boynton. 
Sarah Shattuck. 
Esther Parker. 
Abigail Shattuck. 
Jane Riches. 
Abigail Shed. 
Sarah Hobarl.— 
Betty Nuiting. 
Abigail Farnsworth. 
Wid. Sarah Rice. 
Lvdia Lakin. 
Wid. Lucy Lakin. 
Patience Nutting. 
Barbara Farmer, [town. 
Eliz'th Cutter, of Charles- 
Sarah Martin. 
Eleanor Walker. 
Wid. Submit Whitney. 
Abigail Nutting. 
Mary Tarbell. 
Anna Farwell. 
Zeruiah Frost. 
Elizabeth Lawrence. 
Elizabeth Boynton. 
Abigail Parker. 
Abigail Holden. 
Esther Smith. 
Elizabeth Woods. 
Mary Gilson. [Littleton. 
Piudence Lawrence, of 
Mary Parker. 
Anna Gilson. 
Sarah Russell. 
Sarah Sawtell. 
Rejoice Preston. 



454 



GROTON. 



1742, 


Sept. 9. 


" 


Dec. 9. 


(< 


Dec. 28. 


1742-3, 


Jan. 27. 


ti 


Feb. 8. 


(I 


Feb. 21. 


1743, 


April 26. 


" 


Apiil 26. 


<c 


July 12. 


(( 


July 27. 


" 


Nov. 10. 


" 


Dec. 2. 


<t 


Dec. 8. 


«t 


Dec. 13. 


1743-4, 


Jan. 5. 


1744, 


April 2. 


" 


June 12. 


(( 


June 20. 


« 


July 3. 


•« 


Nov. 22. 


II 


Dec. 4. 


c< 


Dec. 6. 


« ' 


Dec. 18. 


1744-5, 


Jan. 17. 


•< 


Jan. 17. 


«« 


Mar. 19. 


1745, 


April 2. 


" 


May 22. 


«' 


June 27. 


1745-6, 


Jan. 29. 


(( 


Feb. 5. 


1746, 


April 15. 


i< 


June 17. 


" 


Sept. 17. 


(> 


Oct. 9. 


X 


Nov. 4. 


(t 


Nov. 5. 


>( 


Nov. 20. 


«« 


Dec. 3. 


" 


Dec. 3. 


1746-7, 


Jan. 8. 


i( 


Feb. 17. 


1747, 


April 2. 


(( 


April 20. 


t( 


April 23. 


i( 


June 25. 


<< 


July 7. 


(( 


Sept. 1. 


t( 


Nov. 10, 


(( 


Nov. 25. 


t< 


Nov. 26. 


<( 


Dec. 2. 


<i 


Dec. 3. 


<( 


Dec. 14. 


i< 


Dec. 30. 


1747-8, 


Jan. 8. 




Feb. 3. 


« 


Feb. 16. 


<> 


Mar. 3. 


1748, 


May 12. 



Joseph Blood, Jr , [send, 
Wm. Richardson, of Town- 
Primus, (negro man ser ) 
Jonatlian Sliattuck, Jr., 
Nathaniel Bower.s, 
Joseph Dodge, 
Jonathan Holden, 
Timothy Moors, 
Jonathan Parker, 
Josiah Farnsworth, 
Joseph Stevens, of New 
Samuel Phillips, [Ipswich, 
Samuel Flood, of Andover, 
Josiah Nutting, 
David Kemp, 

Thomas Jewett, of Boxford, 
John Courtney, 
Benjamin Lawrence, 
Thomas Lawrence, 
William Williams, 
Isaac Farnsworth, 
Samuel Blodget, of West- 
Ephiaim Whitney, [ford, 
Jaiiiee Patterson, 
Jedediah Jewett, 
Phinehas Chamberlin, 
Nathan Hubbard, 
William Tarbell, Jr., 
Moses Blood, 
Thomas Williams, 
John Pratt, 
Robinson Lakin, 
Simon Blood, 
Amos Sawtell, 
Samuel Scripture, Jr., 
William Dalrymple. 
John Russell, 
Benjamin Swallow, 
John Chamberlin, Jr. 
Josiah Lawrence, 
Benjamin Bennett, Jr., 
Moses Bennett, Jr., [send, 
William Wallis, of Town- 
John Darby, of Harvard, 
William Scott, of Dunsta- 
Hezekiah Sawtell, Jr., [ble, 
John Stone, Jr., 
David Nutting, 
William Holden, 
Oliver Wheeler, of Acton, 
Benjamin Wilson, 
Abijah Willard, of Lancas- 
David Sawtell, Jr., [ter, 
Moses Wheeler, 
Edmund Bancroft, 
William Blood, 
Moses Wentworth, 
Ephraim Chandler,of West- 
Zachariah Shattuck, [ford, 
Silas Blood, 



Hannah Blood. 

Marv Huliart. 
Margaret, J ,i,imed Lew .' 

Kezia Farnsworth. 
Elizabeth Blood. 
Wid, Mary Irvine. 
Deborah Houghton. 
Lydia Nutting. 
Eleanor Hunt. 
Hannah Buttrick. 
Elizabeth Sawtell. 
Abigail Frost. 
Tiypliena Powars. 
Mary Blood. 
Hannah Sawtell. 
Martha Hale. 
Dorcas Barney. 
Ruth Dodge. 
Sarah Houghton. 
Mary Perkins. 
Anna Green. 
Sarah Speticer. 
Esther Woods. 
Wid. Elizabeth Bartlelt. 
Elizabeth Shattuck. 
Lydia Williams. 
Mary Patterson. 
Sarah Woods. 
Elizabeth Stone. 
Mary Rolf. 
Hannah Bowers. 
Hannah Dodge. 
Sarah Gilson. 
Elizabeth Fletcher. 
Mary Green. 
Elizabeth Shed. 
Mary Cranson. 
Wid Hannah Green. 
Rachel Lawrence.^ 
Elizabeth Lakin. 
Sarah Lakin. 
Sarah Blood. 
Eunice Nutting. 
Elizabeth Holden. 
Mary Dalrymple. 
Margaret Dodge, of Lu- 
Aniia Pratt. [nenburg. 
Rachel Lakin. 
Annis Nutting. 
Abigail Woods. 
Sarah Whitney. 
Elizabeth Prescott. 
Rebekah Pratt. 
Elizabeth Holden. 
Elizabeth Atherton. 
Lucy Fletcher. 
Mindwell Stone. 
Wid Abigail Blood. 
Elizabeth Fisk. 
Alathea Martin. 



APPENDIX. 



455 



Josiah Connnt, 
Nathaniel Shattuck, 
Amos Taylor, 
Israel Hobart, 
John Green, 
Eleazer Gilson, Jr., 
Zachariah Withe, 
Stephen Foster, 
James Stone, Jr., 
Samuel Foster, 
Jauies Parker, Jr., 
Nathaniel Parker, 
Jerahmael Povvars, 
William Bush, 
Abraham Parker, 
Jason Williams, 
Joshua Bowers, 
Jeremiah Shattuck, [vard, 
Joseph Fairbanks, of Har- 
Benjamin Bancroft, Jr., 
Henry Farwell, 
Jonathan Sawtell, 
Oliver Farnsworth, 
Eleazar Nutting, 
Artemas Ward, of Shrews- 
Jonathan Pierce, [bury, 
Josiah Williams, 
Eleazer Green, Jr., 
William Green, Jr., 
Philemon Holden, 
Jonathan Longley, 
Amos Holden, 

f Abel Parker, 
John Shattuck, 

I John Green, 

I Richard Adams, 

I Jacob Ames, 
•{ Amasa Turner, 
James Green, 
John Longley, 
.- / -# Oliver Blood, 
/7r2 f^O ^^*t Samuel Gilson, 
" l^ William Elliot, 

Jonathan Gilson, [ford, 
Jonas Prescott, Jr., of West- 
Moses Haskell, of Harvard, 
Floyd Pratt, of Maiden, 
Abel Lawrence, 
Jonas Longley, 
Bezaleel Sawyer, of Lan- 
Ambrose Lakin, [caster, 
Benj. Brooks, Jr., of Town- 
Jeremiah Hobart, [send, 
Elnathan Sawtell, 
David Stone, 

Jonathan Adams, of Con- 
Joseph Parkhurst, [cord, 
Joseph Bennett, 
Josiah Chamberlin, 
Moses Hassell, of Harvard, 



1748 
<( 


May 12. 
May 14. 
May 21. 
July 7. 




July 1(3. 
July 21. 
July 21. 
Auo^. 5. 


It 


Sept. 13. 
Nov. 24. 


It 


Dec. 22. 


«' 


Dec. 28. 


174S-9, 


Feb. 9. 


" 


Mar. 1. 


t( 


Mar. 16. 


1749, 


April 5. 
April 26. 


« 


Aug. 10. 


<( 


Oct. 4. 


(< 


Oct. 18. 


(( 


Dec. 6. 


« 


Dec. 13. 


« 


Dec. 14. 


1749-50 


, Mar. 22. 


1750, 


July 31. 


t( 


Nov. 8. 


<( 


Nov. 29. 


« 


Dec. 19. 


<c 


Dec. 26. 


1750-1, 


Jan. 10. 


c( 


Jan. 30. 


« 


Feb. 0. 



Dates lost. 



1750-1, 


Mar. 6 


'« 


Mar. 13. 


1751, 


Sept. 4. 


ii 


Oct. 14. 


(< 


Nov. 19. 


« 


Nov. 20. 


«' 


Dec. 17. 


1752, 


Jan. 16. 


<( 


Jan. 22. 


i( 


Mar. 4. 


<( 


Mar. 5. 


« 


April 1. 


« 


' April 30. 


« 


May 19. 


<< 


May 26. 


(( 


June 10. 


« 


June 10- 



Rachel Hobart. 
Hannah Simonds. 
Bridget Martin. 
Anna Lawrence. 
Kezia Shattuck. 
Mary Hall. 
Esther Kemp. 
Sarah Blood. 
Deborah Nutting. 
Jane Boynton. 
Rebekah Bulkley. 
Eunice Lakin, at Charles- 
Eunice Bennett, [town. 
Abial Bennett. 
Lois Blood. 
Jemima Nutting. 
Sarah Farnsworth. 
Lydia Lakin. 
Abigail Tarbell. 
Alice Tarbell. 
Lydia Tarbell. 
Mary Holden. 
Sarah Taibell. 
Sarah Farnsworth. 
Sarah Trowbridge. 
Ruth Gilson. 
Prudence Nutting. 
Sarah Parker. 
Ruth Colburn. 
Lucy Walker. 
Anna Bancroft. 
Prudence Holden. 
Esther Shattuck. ] g 
Elizabeth Shattuck. 
Susanna Woods. 
Lydia Phillips. 
Sarah Parker. 
Eunice Saunders. )■ ■. 
Elizabeth Sheple. ^l 

Elizabeth Patterson. I f ' 
Sarah Darling. I ^ 

Elizabeth Shed. S 

Elizabeth Williams. J | 
Susanna Pierce. 
Wid. Rebekah Parker. 
Anna Tarbell. 
Lydia Coffin. 
Mary Bulkley. 
Esther Patterson. 
Lois Lawrence. 
Dorothy Gilson. 
Elizabeth Green. 
Hannah Green. 
Mary Stone. 
Lydia Pratt. 
Submit l<'arwell. 
Deborah Spaulding. 
Margaret Shattuck. 
Hepzibah Crecy. 
Anna Tarbell. 



456 



GROTON. 



1752, June 17. John Solindine, 
" June 18. James Prescott, 
" Nov. 8. Peter Hobart, 

" Nov. 22. Jonathan Farwell, 

" Dec. 20. Micah Crecy, 

1753, Mar. 7. Zachariah Longley, 
" Sept. 4. Samuel Sawtell, 

Oct. 29. John Taibell, 

" Nov. 1. Caleb Blood, 

" Nov. 22. John Crai^, [send. 

*' Dec. 17. James Lock, Jr., of Town- 

1754, Jan. 3. David Bennett, of Shirley, 
" Jan. 15 David Gilson, [rell. 
" Mar. 7. Benai.Ui Hudson, of Peppe- 
" Mar. 19. Isaac Lakin, Jr., 

" April 2. Ebenezer Lawrence, 

" April 10. Jonathan Moors, 

" May 29. Epliraim Nutting, 

'' Dec. 12. Jonathan Tarbell, 

1755, Jan. 9. William Parker, 

" Jan. 2S. Joseph Hruce, of Mendon, 

" Jan. 23. Nathaniel Lakin, of Pepper- 

" Feb. 20. Ebenezer Farnsworih, [ell, 

" Mar. 26. Capt. Ephraim Sawtell, 

" Mar. 27. Samuel Gragor, 

" Mar. 27. Samuel Hobart, 

" April 16. John Stevens of Townsend, 

" May 29. Jonas Sawtell, 

•' May 29. Amos Dole, of Littleton, 

" July 9. Jonathan Stone, 

" Sept. 9. John Sheple, [Windsor, 

" Oct. 23. Rev. Joseph Perry, of 

1756, Jan. 22. Joshua Nevers, 
" Feb. 26. Jonathan Pratt, 
" Feb. 27. William Lakin, 
" M^r. 1. Shattuck Blood, 
«' Mar. 11. Jonathan Sheple, 
" April 13. Henry Woods, 

" May 6. John Ames, 

«' May 26. Obadiah Sawtell, 

" May 27. Peter Gilson, [vers. 

" Sept. 30. Jonathan Bancroft, of Dan- 

" Oct. 19. John Harris, [ton, 

" Nov. 16. Barnabas Davis, of Little- 

" Dec. 10. Timothy Steward, 

1757, Jan. 16. Ephraim Parker, 
" April 27. Ebenezer Gowing, 
*< May 5. Thomas Lawrence, 
" July 28. William Sheple, 

" Sept. 23. John Blair, 

" Oct. 27. Amos Ames, 

" Nov. 17. David Tarbell, 

" Dec. 6. Asa Holden, of Shirley, 

" Dec. 22. Ephraim Sawtell, 

" Dec. 28. JohnShattuck,of Pepperell, 

1758, Jan. 4. John Patterson, of Shirley, 
" Jan. 5. Dr. Staunton Prentice, of 
" Jan. 12» Neh.Trowbridge, [Lancaster, 
« Feb. 2. William Lakin, 

" Mar. 16. Jonathan Holden, 



Dorcas Whipple. 
Susanna Lawrence. 
Abigail Lakin, Jr. 
Tryphena Frost. [Bolton. 
Catherine Wetherbee, of 
Jemima Moors. 
Wid. Lydia Douglas. 
Sarah Parker. 
Hatmah Holden. 
Wid. Jemima Fisk. 
Hannah Farnsworth. 
Elizabeth Wait. [relL 

Annis Gilson, of Peppe- 
Dorothy Lawrence. 
Mary Lawrence, ofPeppe- 
Wid. Sarah Bason, [rell. 
Sybil Tarbell. 
Jeru*ha Parker. 
Lydia Farnsworih. 
Wid. Sarah Richardson, of 
Elizabeth Farnsworth. ^ 
Sybil Parker. :g 

Mary Nichols. it 

Wid". Hannah Gilson. 2- 
Mary Conn. 
.Ann Bradstreet. 
Susanna Tarbell. [send. 
Elizabeth Albee, of Town- 
Molly Paoe. 
Su-an Moors. 
Abigail Green, Jr. 
Mrs Sarah Lawrence. 
Wid. Abigail Sawtell. 
Lucy Bradstreet. 
Priscilla Ames. 
Lydia Nutting. 
Sarah Green. 
Deborah Parker. 
Susanna Nutting. 
Mary Gould, of Shirley. 
Sybil Whitney. 
Phebe Lawrence. [Shirley. 
Wid. Bulah Corey, both of 
Ruth Gilson. [Westford. 
Esther Taylor, both of 
Azubah Farnsworth. 
Abigail Simonds, both of 
Sarah Bailey. [Shirley. 
Agnes Storman. 
Mary Freeman. 
Abigail Bulkley. 
Bathsheba Woods. 
Dorothy Wait. 
Abigail Stone. 
Lydia Hobart.— 
Jane Parker. 
Rebecca Stevens. 
Abigail Farnsworth. 
Anna Gragg. 
Hannah Woods. 



APPENDIX. 



457 



1758, Mar. 30. 
" April 13. 
" April 19. 
" April 27. 
" May 4. 
" May 31. 
" June 29. 

1759, Jan. 2. 
" Jan. 10. 
" Jan. 11. 
" Jan. 24. 
" Feb. 21. 
" Feb. 26. 
" Mar. 1 . 
" April 11. 



Jonathan Foster, 
Gabriel Lakin, 
Barnabas Davis, of Littleton, 
John Lukin, Jr., [ter, 

Amos Atherton, of Lancas- 
John Scott, of Pepperell, 
Jonas Green, [send, 

Jonas Baldwin, of Town- 
Solomon Stevens, of Town- 
John Stone, Jr., [send, 
Joseph Metcalf, 
Ephraim Nuttinfr, Jr., 
John Whitney, Jr., ol Shirley, 
John Dudley, 
Jonathan Foster, 



May 1. Jonas Fletcher, 



" May 8. 

« July 11. 

" July 11. 

" Aug. 7. 

" Sept. 13. 

« SepL 27. 

" Oct. 3. 

" Nov. 1. 
17G0, Feb. 

" Feb. 

" Mar. 

" Mar. 



6. 
(J. 

11. 



" Mar. 19. 

" April 17. 

" April 23. 

" April 24. 

« May 29. 

" June 24. 

" June 26. 

" Aug. 20. 

1761, May 15. 
" June 3. 
" June 8. 
" June 16. 
" July 22. 
" Aug. 25. 
" Oct. 12. 
« Oct. 29. 
" Dec. 2. 
" Dec. 3. 

1762, Jan. 28. 
" Feb. 17. 
" Mar. 23. 
" April 15. 
" April 29. 
" Sept. 30. 
« OcL 7. 
" Oct. 12. 
" Nov. 18. 
'« Dec. 2. 
" Dec. 2. 
«< Dec. 2. 



Samuel Bowers, Jr., 
Jonathan Crecy, 
Amasa Gilson, 
Oliver Parker, Jr., 
Moses Gould, Jr., 
Peter Stevens, 
John Nutting, 3d, 
Josiah Paiker, 

Daniel Willard, of Lancaster, 
James WorjxJs, 
Cotton Procter, 
John Houghton, of Harvard, 
Jonatlian Spsulding', of 
John Page, [Townsend, 

Dr. Phmehas Phelps, of Lan- 
Jonathan Pratt, [caster, 

Joseph Sawtell, 
Silas Barron, 
William Farwell, 
Paul Fletcher, 
Lemuel Parker, 
Henry Farwell, 
Joshua Holden, 
Jabez Holden, 
Joseph Moors, 
John Sawtell, Jr., 
Joel Rice, of Westboro', 
Thomas Trowbridg«, 
Jonas Bowers, [inster, 

Jonathan Kendall, of Leom- 
Phinehas Wait, Jr., 
Samuel Pierce, 
Isaac Bowers, 
John Whitney, 
Elisha Rockwood, Jr., 
Capt. Ephraim Sawtell, 
Lieut. Jos. Boynton, of West- 
Benjamin Stone, [ford, 
Hezekiah Patterson, 
John Bush, 
Robert Ames, 
Nathaniel Woods, 

58 



Betty Hazen. 
Phebe Lakin. 
Olive Farwell. 
Elizabeth Nutting. 
Lydia Gould, of Shirley. 
Esther Boynton. 
Jemima Holden. 
Ruth VVilson. 
Hannah Tarbell. 
Wid. Jerusha Woods. 
Wid. Margaret Bennett. 
Phebe Nutting. 
Hannah Sawtell. 
Sybil Russell, of Harvai-d. 
Thankful Harrington, of 
[Pepperell. 
Wid. Joanna Crocker, of 
[Lunenburg. 
Abigail Warren. 
Anna Davis. 
Wid. Bulah Phelj?s. 
Jane Nutting. 
Submit Holden. 
Lydia Gilson. 
Elizabeth Nutting. 
Estiier Farnsvvorth. 
Wid. Sarah Dickerson. 
Abigail Howard. 
"Wid. Sarah Foster. 
Esther Tarbell. 
Elizabeth Sawtell. 
Wid. Martha Green. 
Sarah Green. 
Wid. Rachel Nutting. 
Lydia Jenkins. 
R'ebecca Parker. 
Esther Wood.*. [ter. 

Anna Willard, of Lancas- 
Betty Nichols. 
Sarah Taylor, of Westford. 
Sarah Higelow. 
Rachel Farnsworth. 
Lucy Stone. 
Susanna Farnsworth. 
Dinah Farnsworth. 
Lucy Woods. 
Hannah Brown. 
Patience Frost. [ell. 

Sarah Pierce, of Pepper- 
Meriam Bigelow. 
Priscilla Dodge. 
Elizabeth Sawtell. 
Mary Farnswoith. 
Mrs. Hannah Parker. 
Sarah Tarbell. 
Prudence Farnswortli. 
Mary Pierce. 
Anna Bennett. 
Sarah Woods, 
Sarah Irvine. 



458 



GROTON. 



17G2, 


Dec. 15. 


" 


Dee. 21. 


'< 


Dec. 23. 


1703, 


Feb. 15. 


•« 


Mar. 23. 


-Jli 


Mar. 30. 


t( 


April 6. 


" 


April 19. 
April 28. 


" 


May 5. 


« 


May 19. 


(( 


June 9. 


" 


A nor. 4. 


<i 


Aug. 11. 
Oct. 19. 


«' 


Dec. 7. 


(( 


Dec. 8. 


(1 


Dec. 8. 


<i 


Dec. 8. 


ii 


Dec. 8. 


" 


Dec. 15. 


1764, 


, Jan. 1!). 


" 


Feb. 15. 


(( 


April 12. 


a 


May 1. 
May 3. 
June 2G. 


it 
(1 


July 2(1. 
Aug. 22. 
Aug. 30. 


(( 


Oct. 9. 


" 


Dec. 4. 


1765 


, Jan. 31. 


" 


Mar. 13. 


" 


Mar. 21. 


11 


April 16. 
May 2. 
May 15. 

May 28. 
Sei)t. 25. 


i( 


Sept. 2G. 
Oct. 9. 


<( 


Nov. 26. 


" 


Dec. 3. 


<( 


Dec. 20. 


17G6 


, Jan. 30. 


(( 


Mar. 11. 


(1 


Mar. 18. 


<i 


Mar. 25. 


a 


Oct. 29. 


(( 


Dec. 23. 


17G7 


, Jan. 6. 


t< 


Jan. 15. 


(( 


Feb. 2. 


IC 


Feb. 3. 


il 


Feb. 18. 


CI 


Mar. 19. 


(( 

(C 


May 5. 
June IG. 



Simeon Fo<:fer, 
Enosli Lawrence, of No. 1, 
Isaiah Holdeii, [''urg; 

William Junes, of Luneii- 
Riciiard Sawtell, 
Oliver Shed, 
John Cheeny, 
Nalhiin Ames, 
John Stone, 

John-Harrod Cummings, of 
[Nottingham West, 
Silas Barron, 
Natiianiel Sawtell, 
Zachariah Fitch, 
Abel Stone, 
John Gragg, 
Ebenezer Hartwell, 
Joshua Johnson, 
Benjamin Shattuck, 
James Giles, of Tovvnsend, 
Daniel Farwell, 
Asa Worcester, 
John Gilson, 

Eleazer Cummings, of Hollis, 
Andrew Conn, of New Ips- 
Joseph Parker, [wich, 

Oliver Lakin, 
David Farwell, 
Ephraim Ware, 
Tiinothy Priest, 
Thomas Conn, of S. Carolina, 
Ebenezer Champuey, 
Samuel Pierce, 
Joel Stone, 
Phinehas Wait, 
William Sinionds, 
William Green, of Pepperell, 
Joseph Wilson, of Shirley, 
Josiah Stevens, of Town- 
Benjamin Davis, Jr., [send, 
Sampson Farnsworth, 
William Shed, 

Samuel Nutting, of Waltham, 
John Pierce, [huig, 

Samuel Reed, Jr., of Lunen- 
Edward Phelps, of Leomin- 
Joseph Rockwood, [ster, 

Ephraim Pierce, 
Nathan Whipple, 
Nathan Ball,of Northboro', 
Abijah Warren, 
John Whitaker, Jr., 
James Adams, 
Simon Paofe, [inster, 

Jonathan Harris, of Leom- 
Zachariah Fitch, 
Ebenezer Fainsworth, [ton, 
Joseph Hartwell, of l.ittle- 
Jona. Farnsworth, of Har- 
Aaron Farnsworth, [yard, 



Mary Lakin. 
Esther Woods. 
Elizabeth Shed.'^-^ 
Saiah Stone. 
Elizabeth Bennett. 
Mary Shed. 
Susanna Farwell. 
Deborah Bowers. 
Rachel Pierce. 
Sarah Worcester. 

Abigail Woods. 
Abigail Wyman. 
Lydia Tuck, of Bedford. 
Lydia Whitaker. 
Elizabeth Lakin. 
Mary Farnsworth. [Stow. 
Elizabeth Pushee, both of 
Abigail Farnsworth. 
Elizabeth Gieen. 
Sybil Page. 
Anna Parker. 
Prudence Lawrence. 
Sarah Reed, of Littleton. 
Mary Scott. 
Abigail Page. 
Sybil Gilson. 
Submit Woods. 
Martha Parker. 
Sarah Butterfield. 
Mary McFarlane. 
Abigail Trowbridge. 
Lucy Wallingsford,of Lan- 
Eunice Holden. [caster. 
Esther Gould. [Shirley. 
Sarah Wilson, both of 
Hannah Woods. 
Hepzibah Warren. 
Mary Lawrence. 
Hannah Farnsworth. 
Rachel Shaituck. 
Lydia Farnsworth. 
Olive Ames. 

Sarah Biers, of Westford. 
Mary Tarbell. 
Martha Farnsworth. 
Sarah Richardson. 
Esther Stone. 
Abigail Bowers. 
Ehzabeth Reed. [Hollis. 
Prudence Lawrence, of 
Thankful Pierce. 
Susanna Jenkins. 
Elizabeth Moors. 
Hannah Robbins. 
Sybil Lakin. 
Sarah Nichols. 
Elizabeth Pierce. 
Hannah Farwell. 
Sarah Bennett. 



APPENDIX. 



459 



9. 
10. 

9. 

1. 

6. 
10. 
17. 

1. 
27. 
12. 

2. 

9. 

C. 
31. 



12. 

8. 

6. 

10. 



1767, July 2.1 
" Oct. 21) 
" Nov. 11 
" Nov. 26 
" Dec. 10 

1768, Feb. 
" Feb. 
" Mar. 
" Aug. 
" Oct. 
" Nov. 
" Nov. 
" Dec. 
" Dec. 

1769, Jan. 
" Feb. 
" May 
" July 
" Aug. 
" Sept. 28 
" Oct. 3 
" Oct. 26 
" Nov. 15 
" Nov. 21 
« Dec. 

1770, Feb. 
" June 
" Oct. 
" Nov. 20 
« Dec. 6. 
" Dec. 6. 
«' Dec. 6. 
" Dec. 27. 

1771, May 7. 
" May 23. 
" Jane 4. 
" June 4. 
" July 24. 
«' Aug. 13. 
" Aug. 14. 
" Oct. 3, 

1772, Jan. 9, 
" Mar. 20, 
" May 7 
«« May 11. 
«< May 20. 
" Nov. 24 
" Dec. 8 
<' Dec. 12 
« Dec. 31 

1773, Jan. 7 
" .Tan. 
" Jan. 
" Jan. 
" Jan. 
" Jan. 
" Jan. 
" Mar 
" Mar. 18 
'« Maj 20 



David Taylor, of Concord, 

John Page, 

Salmon Stone, 

Caleb Woods, 

Thomas Smith, of Weslford, 

Daniel Page, [ford. 

Dr. Jonas Marshall, of Chelms- 

Joseph Corey, 

Jonathan Lakin, 

Thomas Farrington, 

John Woods, Jr., 

John Bancroft, of Woodstock, 

I'homas Gragjg, 

Samuel Parker, Jr., 

James Blood, Jr., 

Phinehas Page, of Shirley, 

Thomas Chaniberlin, 

Capt. Joseph Sheple, 

Israel Hobart, Jr., 

Levi Kemp, 

Peter Fisk, 

Isaac Nutting, Jr., 

Jonathan Boyden, [perell, 

Benjamin Lawrence, of Pep- 

Wm. Dulton, of New Ipswich, 

Peter Swallow, of Dunstable, 

Samuel Kemp, 3d, 

Joseph Simonds, 

Benjamin Hazen, 

Isaac Farwell, 

Solomon Farnsworth, 

Nathaniel Melvin,ofNew Ips- 

Nathan Corey, [wich, 

Zachariah Nutting, 

Thomas White, Jr., 

ElisJia Rockwood, Jr., 

Reuben Tucker,of Townsend, 

Timothy Woods, [ton, 

Samuel Woods, Jr., of Little- 
Stephen Lund, of New Ips- 
Timothy Farwell, [wich, 

Jacob Patch, 
Josiah Warren, 
William Beals, of Westford, 
Jona. Wetherbee, of Harvard, 
Lieut. Samuel Tuttle, of Lit- 
Edmund Blood, [tleton, 

John Sheple, 
Lemuel Blood, 
Amos Lawrence, Jr., 
Levi Lakin, 
Wilham Shed, Jr., 
Benjamm Page, 
John Egerton, of Shirley, 
Benjamin Bancroft, 
Obadiah Jenkins, Jr., 
Capt. Josiah Bowers, of Biller- 
Nehemiah Gould, [ica. 

Jonathan Stone, of Harvard, 
Phinehas- Parker, 



Sarah Parker. 
Esther Lawrence. 
Susa Page. 

Betty Cummings, of Ilollis. 
Hannah Saunders. 
Abigail Johnson. 
Mary Parker. 
Catharine Perry. 
Jemima Williams. 
Betty Woods. [ford. 

Hannah Goodhue, of West- 
Eunice Blood. 
Eunice Lakin. [ford. 

Rebecca Hunt, of West- 
Elizabeth Jevvett, of Pep- 
Hannah Stone. [perell. 
Lydia Ad.ims. 
Deborah Bowers. 
Saiah Nutting. 
Rebecca Nevers. 
Rachel Kemp. 
Mary Nutting. 
Elizabeth Sawtell. 
Sybil Parker. 
Martha Parker. 
Prudence Styles. 
Elizabeth Kezar, of Shirley. 
Mitty Ciimmin-rs. 
Lydia Woods. 
Lucy Page. 
Lucy Farnsworth. 
Abio;ail Lakin. 
Molly Green. 
Eunice Nutting. 
Ruth Farnsworth. 
Abigail Stone. 

Relief Farnsworth. 

Elizabeth Dalrymple. 

Rebekah Brooks. [elL 

Sybil Whitney, of Pepper- 
Sarah Page. 

Mary Hazen. 

Sarah Tarbell. 

Anna Woods. 

Abigail FarwelL 

Miry Lawrence. 

Catharine Blood. 

Rebekah Blanchard. 

Lydia Blood. 

Betty Hubbard. 

Hannah Lakin. 

Elizabeth Parker. 

Emma Page. 

Abigail Parker. 

Phebe Parker. 

Lucy Parker. 

Mrs. Maria Trowbridge. 

Molly Kemp. 

Jemima Longley. 

Relief Parker. 



460 



GROTON. 



1773, June 16. 


" 


July 15. 
July 27. 
July 28. 
Aug. 21. 


(( 


Aug. 25. 


« 


Aug. 31. 


It 


Sept. 1. 
Sept. 9. 
Sept. 14. 
Oct. 21. 


tl 


Dec. 7. 


cc 


Dec. 27. 


1774 


,Jan. 6. 


" 


Jan. 12. 


(< 


Mar. 3. 


i< 


M,.r. 92. 


(( 


April 26. 


It 


July 14. 
Oct. 3. 


<i 


Oct. 23. 


(1 


Nov. .3. 


t( 


Nov. 10. 


" 


Nov. 17. 


«« 


Dec. 15. 


<i 


Dec. 15. 


(( 


Dec. 22. 


«< 


Dec. 22. 


« 


Dec. 27. 


<( 


Dec. 30. 


1775, Jan. 12. 
'• Jan. 26. 


(( 


Mar. IG. 


No marriages 



David Sawtell, 
Thomas Trowbridge, 
John Ellis, of Rindge, 
Timothy Johnson, 
Ebenezer Lewis, 
Abijah Warren, 
Ebenezer Kemp, Jr., 
Abraham Moors, 
Lemuel Scott, 

Peter Stone, [tleton, 

Joseph Harwood, Jr., of Lit- 
Jabez Biers, of Bolton, 
Stephen Foster, 
John Hadley, Jr., of Westford, 
John Woods, 
Caleb Blood, 
David Lakin, 
Samuel Hemenwa)', 
Abel Bancroft, 
Paul Fletcher, 

Amos Kidder, of Chelmsford, 
Ephraim Bobbins, of West- 
Jacob Blodget, [minster, 
Oliver Blood, Jr.,. 
Ebenezer Wood, of Sudbury, 
Jonathan Sheple, 
Joseph Prescott, of Westford, 
Simeon Nutting, 
James Blood, Jr., 
Jonas Taylor, 
Levi Parker, 
Samuel Boyden, 
John-Campbell Brown, 

on record from this date till 1778. 



Patience Ken>p. 
Kuth Nevers. 
Rebecca Page. 
Sarah Farnsworth. 
Sarah Bennett. 
Su.^an Green. 
Relief Phillips. 
Sarah Allen. [Pepperell. 
Mary Witherell, both of 
Abigail Fassett, both of 
Thankful Stone. [Westford. 
Phebe Brooks. 
Elizabeth Dustan. 
Ruth Kemp. 
Deborah Holden. 
Elizabeth Farnsworth. 
Rebekah Blanchard. 
Sarah Fitch, of Pepperell. 
Sarah Lawrence. 
Thankful Beeman. 
Mary NutUng. 
Hannah Brooks. [stable. 
Lucy Tarbox, both of Dan- 
Hannah Blood. 
Abigail Rockwood. 
Anna Blood. 

Abigail Dalrymple. [perell. 
Dorothy Hudson, of Pep- 
Martha Shaltuck, of do. 
Sarah Houston, of Dunsta- 
Jemima Lakin. [ble. 

Molly Sawtell. 
Lucy Chase. 



TOWN CLERKS, FROM THE FIRST SETTLEMENT TO THE 
PRESENT TIME. 



Richard Sawtell, from 1662 to 

1664, inclusive. 
James Fiske, 1665. 
William Longley, 1666, 1687, and 

from 1692 to 1694. 
John Page, 1667. 
Richard Blood, 1608. 
John Morse, from 1669 to 1676, 

and from 1679 to 1681. 
James Parker, 1678, probably. 
Jonathan Morse, 1679, and from 

1682 to 1685. 
Josiah Parker, 1680, and from 1688 

to Hi90. 
Jonas Prescott, 1691. 



James Blanchard,from 1695tol703. 
Thomas Tarbell, 1704 and 1705. 
Joseph Lakin, from 1706 to 1722, 

and 1727. 
John Longley, from 1723 to 1726, 

1728 and 1729. 
Jonathan Sheple, 1730, and from 

1734 10 1744. 
Thomas Tarbell, Jr., from 1731 to 

17.3.3, and from 1745 to 1756. 
Abel Lawrence, from 17.57 to 1764. 
Hon. Oliver Prescott, from 1765 

to 1777. 
Dea. Isaac Farnsworth, from 1778 

to 1781, and from 1785 to 1787. 



APPENDIX. 



461 



Abel Bancroft, 1782 and 1783. 

Jonathan Keep, 1784. 

Lieut. Nathaniel Sartell, 1788, de- 
clined. 

Joseph Shed, from 1788 to 1795. 

Dea. Samuel Lawrence, from 179G 
to 1798. 

Dea. Samuel Rockwood, from 1799 
to 1803. 

Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., from 1804 
to 1811. 



Dr. Joseph Mansfield, from 1812 

to 1814, and 1818. 
Caleb Butler, Esq., from 1815 to 

1817, and from 1823 to 1831. 
Noah Shattuck, Esq., from 1819 to 

1822. 
John Boynton, Esq., 1832, 1833, 

and from 1837 to 1845. 
John G. Park, Esq., from 1834 to 

1836. 
George S. Boutwell, Esq., 1846. 



The five last named, and none other, are now living. 

Various were the modes of expression, chirographies and orthogra- 
phies, used by the several clerks. 

Richard Sawtell's style, in each of these particulars, was very good, 
and very similar to the records in the county offices, made at and about 
the same period. His records prove him to have been a scholar. 

A similarity in the records of the next four succeeding clerks to that 
of Richard Sawtell, is discernible; though each of them appears to be 
much his inferior in scholarship. 

John Morse was a very distinguished clerk. More of his writings 
and copyings remain in the clerk's office than of any other one. His 
chirography resembles German text. His orthography, use of capi- 
tals, and mode of expression, were uniform, consistent, and as correct 
as any of his time. 

The laying out of lands and highways, decrees and orders of the 
selectmen, with the usual transactions of the town at their public 
meetings, during the period of his clerkship, mostly remain in legible 
and intelligible form, though penned one hundred and seventy years 
ago. 

Thomas Tarbell, Sen., wrote in quite a fair and legible hand ; but 
his use, or rather nonuser, of capitals, and his orthography, were 
abominable. Take a specimen, selected at random. 

" grotton march 8 1704 
" at a legul townmeting the town did yot that thay wul met for the 
futer to chus town offesurs the fust tusday of march annuelly 

" thomas tarbell dark." 



Joseph Lakin's hand-writing was intolerably bad, and his spelling 
as incorrect as Tarbell's. For example : 

" At a leagall townmeting being met chose Capt John Sheple to 
sarve for and represent them in the great and generall court and 
aseMbeley to be conuenied, hild and capt for his maiesties servis at 
the court house in Boston this August currant 1721. 

" Joseph lakin dark." 



462 GROTON. 

The town records were not made or kept in any tolerable or decent 
style from the time of John Morse, 1682, till Abel Lawrence was 
chosen clerk, in 1757. He first recorded a warrant for a town meet- 
ing, and introduced the practice, which was afterwards pursued. 
A. Lawrence, the two O. Prescotts, A. Bancroft, L Farnsworth, S. 
Lawrence and S. Rockwood, wrote fair and legible hands, and their 
style of composition was for the most part good. 
De vivis nil dicendum est. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN THE GENERAL COURT. 

The first mention of a representative in the records of Groton, is 
about the time the charter of William and Mary was received, in 
1791. 

The choice of representatives is not then recorded ; but receipts for 
their pay, and some other records, show that they were chosen. 
Copies of the records follow. 

" Groton, April 12, 1G93. Know all people by these presents, that 
John Page, Sen. doth fully and clearly acquit the town, selectmen and 
constables, for serving the town as a representative at the first [session] 
held in Boston in the year 1692. As witness my hand, 

" John Page, Senior." 

"Groton, April 12, 1693. Know all people by these presents, that 
Nathaniel Lawrence, Sen., hath received full satisfaction for serving 
the town as a representative in the two first sessions. 
" I say received by me, 

" Nathaniel Lawrence." 

The charges made at the same time are, 

" Paid to John Page, Sen., two pounds sixteen shillings and nine 
pence in money." 

" Paid to Nathaniel Lawrence, Sen., eight pounds in money." 

Feb. 6, 1693. The town voted to petition the General Court, "that 
their representative might be released from attending the session any 
more." 

May 15, 1693. The town voted, " that they would not send nor 
choose any person nor persons for to represent them in the General 
Court or Assembly." 

Oct. 30, 1693. " Capt. James Parker was chosen to represent the 
town at the Great and General Assembly held at Boston the eighth 
day of November ensuing." 



APPENDIX. 



463 



Notwithstanding the foregoing receipt of Dea. Nathaniel Lawrence, 
it appears the town was threatened with a suit by him for thirty-six 
shillings for his services as representative ; probably for a short period 
of service after the town petitioned for his release from attending. 

Jan. 1693-4. The town voted not to pay Dea. Lawrence, and chose 
a committee to defend in any suit which might be brought by him. 
About this time he removed with his family to that part of Cambridge 
which is now Lexington, Whether a suit was commenced or not does 
not appear; but ten years after, May 17, 1703, the town voted, " that 
they would pay Dea. Lawrence for money that the Deacon demands 
for serving the town as a representative in the year 1693 ; " and also, 
" to borrow the money of Thomas Williams for four months and pay 
one shilling interest for it for that time." An indication of great 
embarrassment, if not extreme poverty! 

The following is a list of the representatives, so far as the records 
show. 

Under the charter of William and Mary : 



John Page, Sen., ) 1692 and 

Dea. Nath'l Lawrence, <, 1693. 
Capt. James Parker, Nov. 1693. 
Capt. Jonas Prescott, 1699 and 1705. 
Simon Stone, 1706. 
Ensign John Farnsworth, froml709 

to 1713 inclusive, except 17n. 
Capt. John Sheple, 1716, 1721, 

1722, 1725, 1726, and 1728. 
Capt. Jonas Prescott, Jr., 1720. 
Lieut. Benjamin Prescott, 1723, 

1724, 1727, and from 1734 to 

1738, inclusive. 



Dea. John Longley, from 1729 to 

1731, inclusive. 
Nathaniel Sawtell, 1733, 1739, and 

1741. 
Col. William Lawrence, from 1742 

to 1761, except 1743, 1750, and 

1754. 
Abel Lawrence, from 1762 to 1765, 

inclusive. 
Col. James Prescott, from 1766 to 

1778, except 1776. 
Col. Josiah Sartell, 1776. 



DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION FOR FORMING THE CON- 
STITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

Hon. James Sullivan, Aug. 16, 1779. 



REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT UNDER THE 
CONSTITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Dea. Isaac Farnsworth, 1781 ; cho- 
sen in 1782, and declined. 

Israel Hobart, Esq., 1782 and 1783. 

Dr. Benjamin Morse, 1784, 1787, 
1788, and 1789. 

(Town indicted for not sending, 
1786.) 



Ebenezer Champney, Esq., 1785. 
Aaron Brown, Esq., from 1791 to 

1793, inclusive. 
Hon. Timothy Bigelow, from 1793 

to 1806, except 1803. 
Hon. Samuel Dana, 1802, 1803, 

and from 1825 to 1827. 



464 



GROTON. 



Joseph Moors, Esq., from 1805 to 
1809, and 1811 to 1814. 

Dr. Oliver Prescott, Jr., 1809 and 
1810. 

James Brazer, Esq., 1810. 

Thomas Gardner, Esq., 1811. 

Luther Lawrence, Esq., from 1812 
to 1822, 1829 and 1830. 

(No one chosen in 1823.) 

JVoah Shattuck, Esq., 1824. 

(No one chosen in 1828.) 

Caleb Butler, Esq., 1829 ; declined. 

William Livermore, 1829 and 1830. 



John Boynton, Esq., from 1831 to 

1835, and 1840. 
Capt. John Rockwood, 1832 and 

1833. 
Timothy Blood, 1834 and 1835. 
Dr. Joshua Green, 1836 and 1837. 
John G. Park, Esq., 1836 and 1838. 
Capt. Daniel Shattuck, 1838. 
(No one chosen in 1839.) 
George S. BoulweU, from 1841 to 

1843, and 1846 and 1847. 
William Livermore, Jr., 1844 and 

1845. 



DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION FOR ADOPTING THE 
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES, IN 1788. 

Dr. Benjamin Morse, Joseph Sheple, Esq. 

Both opposed the adoption. 



DELEGATES TO THE STATE CONVENTION FOR ALTERING 
THE CONSTITUTION OF MASSACHUSETTS. 



Hon. Samuel Dana, 



Luther Lawrence, Esq. 



REPRESENTATIVES IN CONGRESS. 

Hon. Samuel Dana, 1814 and 1815. 

Hon. William M. Richardson, 1811 to 1814. 



SENATORS FOR THE COUNTY OF MIDDLESEX. 

Hon. James Prescott, 1780. 

Hon. Timothy Bigelow, 1797 to 1800. 

Hon. Samuel Dana, from 1805 to 1812, and 1817. 

Hon. Stuart J. Park, 1837 and 1838. 



MEMBERS OFTHE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL OF MASSACHUSETTS. 

Hon. James Prescott, from 1781 to 1783. 
Hon. Timothy Bigelow, 1802. 



CENSUS. 
By a census taken between 1763 and 1765, Groton had a population 



of 1,400 inhabitants. 

In 1776, it had 1,639 " 
1790, " 1,840 " 
1809, « 1,800 « 



In 1810, it had 1,886 inhabitants. 
1820, " 1,897 " 
1830, " 1,925 " 
1840, « 2,139 " 



APPENDIX. 4G5 



POLITICAL PARTIES. 



The first subject which divided the people of the United States into 
two great political parties, after the revolutionary war, was the expe- 
diency of a federal union of the then thirteen separate States under a 
national constitution. During the progress of measures to form such 
a constitution and frame of government as would be accepted by the 
people, and to procure its acceptance, the energies of the greatest, the 
wisest, and the most intelligent men in the nation were unremittingly 
exerted, and their exertions were barely successful. The names then 
appropriately applied to the parties for and against the proposed consti- 
tution and frame of government, were Federalists and j^nti- Federalists. 
At this period a majority of the people of Groton were anti-federalists, 
and chose two delegates, who in convention opposed the adoption of 
the constitution. The majority, however, was soon reversed. These 
party names, though correctly applied for the time, did not long 
designate the character of the parties. The Federalists were content 
with their appellation for some twenty or more years, but their oppo- 
nents bestowed upon them the titles of aristocrats, 7nonarchisls, torics, 
&c., while on the other hand the Federalists stigmatized the Anti- 
Federalists as anarchists, jacobins, democrats, &c. The constitution 
and form of government adopted being truly and strictly republican, 
that name ought to have been adopted by all, and all should have 
united in supporting it in purity. But tiiough appropriate, it is scarce- 
ly used at present, except by foreigners. 

As different subjects of legislation and different measures of admin- 
istration have in the progress of time occupied the attention of the 
people, different names and appellations have been assumed and be- 
stowed by advocates and opposers thereof. Without naming others. 
Whig and Democrat have for some time been, and are now the names 
by which the parties are distinguished. Some of the prominent 
measures pursued and advocated by one party, by whatever appella- 
tion known, including federalists and whigs, have been, building and 
supporting a respectable navy ; encouraging commerce, agriculture, 
manufactures, mechanical arts, and internal improvements, by granting 
corporate powers to companies for the accomplishment of objects 
beyond the power of individual exertion ; providing a convenient and 
safe currency, and thereby enabling capitalists to engage in enter- 
prises, which afford constant and lucrative employment for the labor- 
ing classes ; establishing a judicious tariff, by which the expenses of 
government might be raised upon foreign luxuries, and at the same 
time encouragement given to the domestic production of necessaries 
69 



466 



GROTON. 



and conveniences ; and finally, maintaining peace with all nations. 
And the party favoring these measures have opposed building gun- 
boats for national defence ; embargoes, non-intercourses ; embarrass- 
ing derangements and restrictions in the currency; and especially 
involving the nation in unprofitable, impolitic, destructive wars. The 
other party uniformly opposed what this advocated, and advocated 
what this party opposed. 

The degree or amount of patriotism possessed by each party has not 
probably been so unequal, as that of talents, education, intelligence, 
integrity ; but patriotism without these is comparatively of but little 
estimation. And abilities, capacity and knowledge are not held in 
such disproportion by them, as they would have been, but for that 
"ruling passion," <Mrsf /or q^ce, and for the facility of gratifying it 
by apostacy. 

The sentiments of the inhabitants of Groton on these subjects, so 
far as they are indicated by the character of those for whom they have 
given their suffrages, appear in the foregoing and following lists. In 
the lists of representatives, senators, &c., the names of the anti-fed- 
eralists and democrats are in Italicst 



VOTES FOR GOVERNOR. 





Fed. or 


Ami -Fed. 




Fed. or 


Anti-Fed 


Years. 


Whig. 


or Dem. 


Years. 


Whig. 


or Dem. 


1789, 


92 


1 


1810, 


144 


86 


1790, 


80 





1811, 


126 


96 


1791, 


86 





1812, 


i;32 


102 


1792, 


83 


1 


1813, 


147 


65 


1798, 


57 





1814, 


147 


75 


1794, 


42 


35 


1815, 


146 


67 


1795, 


62 


1 


181G, 


132 


93 


179G, 


77 


16 


1817, 


112 


70 


1797, 


23 


70 


1818, 


100 


57 


1798, 


80 


3 


1819, 


129 


71 


1799, 


47 


85 


1820, 


107 


61 


1800, 


41 


100 


1821, 


91 


69 


1801, 


37 


115 


1822, 


107 


57 


1802, 


57 


108 


1823, 


107 


146 


1803, 


90 


38 


1824, 


147 


87 


1804, 


75 


99 


1825, 


125 


1 


1805, 


118 


106 


1826, 


183 


3 


1806, 


140 


87 


1827, 


118 


S3 


1807, 


122 


107 


1828, 


140 


2 


1808, 


120 


113 


1829, 


75 


24 


1809, 


133 


118 


1830, 


119 


53 







APPENDIX. 




4b7 




Fed. or 


Anti-Fed. 




Fed or 


Anti-Fed 


Years. 


Whig. 


or Dem. 


Years. 


Whig. 


or Dem. 


1831, 


83 


31 


1840, 


185 


173 


1832, 


73 


125 


1841, 


151 


153 


1833, 


39 


53 


1842, 


145 


156 


1834, 


107 


26 


1843, 


160 


187 


1835, 


130 


68 


1844, 


220 


164 


183<j, 


152 


136 


1845, 


214 


191 


1837, 


156 


116 


1846, 


201 


190 


1838, 


162 


104 


1847, 


190 


206 


1839, 


122 


198 









VOTES FOR ELECTORS OF PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT. 



Years. 


Fed. 


Uem. 


Years. 


Fed. 


Dem. 


1789, 


scattered. 




1824, 


97 


1 


1792, 


16 


11 


1828, 


101 


1 


1796, 


3 


32 


1832, 


52 


102 


1804, 


118 


91 


1836, 


147 


125 


1812, 


101 


28 


1840, 


188 


161 


1820, 


75 


58 


1844, 


215 


162 



The votes for governor, in the first column, were given for the 
following persons : — John Hancock, Samuel Adams, Increase Sumner, 
Caleb Strong, Christopher Gore, John Brooks, Levi Lincoln, Jr., Harri- 
son Gray Otis, Samuel Lathrop, John Davis, Edward Everett, and 
George N. Briggs ; each of whom has been governor except Harrison 
Gray Otis and Samuel Lathrop. 

Those in the second column were given for the following persons : 
— James Bowdoin, Elbridge Gerry, William Sullivan, William Heath, 
Levi Lincoln, Joseph B. Varnum, Samuel Dexter, Henry Dearborn, 
Benjamin Crowninshield, William Eustis, William C. Jarvis, Marcus 
Morton, George Bancroft, Isaac Davis, and Caleb Gushing. The three 
first named, with William Eustis and Marcus Morton, only, Avere 
elected. 



The votes for electors in the first column, were given for men who 
voted, or if elected would have voted, for George Washington, John 
Adams, Charles C. Pinckney, De Witt Clinton, John Quincy Adams, 
Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, and William H. Harrison. Those in 
the second column were in favor of Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, 
James Monroe, Andrew Jackson, Martin Van Buren, and James JL 
Polk. Scattering votes are omitted. 



468 



PEPPERELL. 



PEPPERELL 



FAMILY LISTS OF MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, AND DEATHS IN 
PEPPERELL. 



Mephibosheth Adams and 
Jane. 

Lydia, born Aug. 4, 1743. 
Amos, " June 29, 1746. 
James, " Nov. 5, 1748. 
John, " Oct 5, 175'2. 

George Alridge and Lydia. 
John, born April 2, 1774. 

Jacob Ames and Sarah. 

Sarah, born Aug. 14, 1754. 
Jacob, " Dec. 14, 1750. 

Elijah Ames and Prudence.* 



Asa, born 
Jonathan, " 
Elijah, " 
Prudence, " 
Winslow, " 
Sally, " 

Adam, " 
Amos, " 
John, " 

*Died 



Feb. 19, 
Sept. 21, 
Mar. 22, 
June 28, 
Nov. 7, 
Oct. 7, 
Jan. 19, 
Feb. 24, 
Nov. 26, 

June 20, 18!: 



17G9. 
177L 

1774. 
1778. 
1780. 
1782. 
1784. 
1787. 
1790. 
;o. 



David Baldwin and Elizabeth, ^ 
Elizabeth.2 



David, born Oct. 23, 1770. 


Elizabeth, " 


Sept. 18,1772, 




[died Feb. 23, 1773. 


Abigail, " 


July 14, 1774. 


Abial, «' 


Jan. 21, 1776. 


Elizabeth, " 


Aug. 8, 1779, of 




2d wife. 


Amy, " 


Jan. 9, 1781. 


Abel, 


May 7, 1782. 


Hannah, " 


April 29, 1784. 


Lucy, " 


Feb. 28, 1786. 



Isaac Baldwin and Elizabeth 

Shattdck. 
(Married IN o v. 27, 17G0.) 
Jeremiah, born Sept. 24, 1761. 



Isaac, 


" Oct. 


13, 


1763 


Samuel, 


« Feb. 


12, 


1766 


Anna, 


" June 


IS, 


1768 


Daniel, 


" Sept. 


13, 


1771 


Joel, 


" Sept. 


8, 


1773 



William Blood and Luct. 
William, born Sept. 14, 1748. 



Lucy, 

Jonas, 

Amos, 

Hannah, 

Lydia, 



July 1.3, 1750. 
Sept. 26, 1754. 
Oct. 16, 1757. 
Mar. 31, 1762. 
April 8, 1768. 



David Blood and Abigail 

Farnsworth. 

(Married May 1, 17 JO.) 

1 David, born Mar. 15, 1740. 



~ Jonathan, 

3 Joshua, 

4 Lydia, 

5 Abigail, 

6 Isaac, 

7 Mary, 
Ruth, 
John, 
Isaac, 
Nathan, 



Nov. 3, 1742. 
June 26, 1744. 
Dec. 5,1745. 
June 27, 1748.- 
Aug. 27, 1750, 
[died Dec. 3, 1750. 
Mar. 22, 1753. 
July 23, 1755. 
Sept. 17, 1758. 
June 2,1760.- 
Mar. 31, 1763. 



David Blood, Jr., and Olive 
Taylor. 
(Married Nov. 2, 1762.) 
Jonathan, born Oct. 26, 1763. 
Olive, » Dec. 1, 1765. 

Abigail, « Mar. 31, 1768. 
Abi, « June 7, 1771. 



APPENDIX. 



469 



Submit, born May 26, 1775. 
David, " Nov. 23, 1779. 

Eunice, « Nov. 9, 17—. 

Moses Blood and Elizabeth. 
Elizabeth, born July 6, 1746. 
Sarah, " Mar. 16, 1748. 

Moses, « Apr. 29, 1750. 

Abel, " Sept. 17, 1752. 

Anna, " April 7, 1755. 

Rachel, " Nov. 11, 1757. 
Anna, " Sept. 15, 1760. 

Nathaniel, « Aug. 21, 1762. 
Sewall, " May 24, 17()5. 
Mary, " April 4, 1770. 

Moses Blood and Abigail.* 
Moses, born Oct. 21, 1781. 
Abigail, " July 4, 1786. 

* Died Sept. 11, 1810. 

Robert Blood and Mary Fisk.* 

(Married Oct. 27, 1756.) 
Abigail, born Nov. 23, 1758. 
Robert, " May 14, 1760. 

* Died Mar. 30, 1791. 

Edmund Blood and Lcct. 
Lucy, born July 5, 1787. 
Edmund, " Oct. 10, 1789. 
Edmund-Harvey-Newton, born 

April 13, 1835, by 2d wife. 

Joshua Blood and Kezia Jew- 

ETT. 
(Married Nov. 26, 1767.) 
Ezra, born May 29, 1770. 
Nathan, " Oct. 26, 1773. 
Kezia, " Mar. 12, 1775. 
Joshua, " Mar. 7, 1778. 
Jonathan," Nov. 11, 1781. 

Nathaniel Bowers* and Eliz- 
abeth Blood. 

(Married Feb. 8, 1742-3) 

Nathaniel, born Nov. 27, 1743, at 
Groton. 
Nathaniel, " Nov. 15, 1746. 
John, " Sept. 3, 1749. 

James, " Mar. 10, 1751. 

Sampson, " Sept. 26, 1755. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 23, 1758. 
* Died June 20, 1775. 



John Bowers and Ltdia. 
John, born May 18, 1773, 

[died Aug. 24, 1776. 
Lydia, « Jan. 6, 1776. 
John, " Sept. 25, 1780. 
Polly, " Mar. 19, 1786. 
Aaron, " Nov. 18, 1788. 

Josiah Boyden and Sarah. 
Joseph, born Feb. 14, 1760. 
Josiah, " Nov. 19, 1761. 

Joseph Boynton* and Sarah 

TARBELL.f 

(Married Oct. 7, 1762.) 
Tarbell, born Sept. 9, 1 763, "j ^.q- 
[died Sept. 15, 1763. ^ 
Joseph, born Sept. 30, 1764, ! -£ 
[died April 4, 1783. f ^ 
Samuel-Tarbell, born July 16, | "^ 
1776, died Mar. 1, 1841. J ^ 
Sarah, born Nov. 23, 1768, mar- 
ried Jacob Haskell ; died 
Jan. 22, 1811. 
Calvin, born May 21, 1773, 

[died Mar. 5, 1837. 
Hannah, " Aug. 31, 1774. 
Lydia, " July 18, 1776, mar- 
ried Jona. Stimpson ; died 
„riT June 6, 1804. 

Far^^ll' [died Sept. 27, 1835. 

* Died Oct. 14, 1787.' 
t Died Aug. 17, 1789. 

Abijah Boynton and Sarah. 
Sarah, born Mar. 8, 1770. 
Abigail, " Oct. 3,1771. 
Betty, " Aug. 11, 1773. 
Abijah, " May 3, 1775. 
Abel, " April 12, 1777, 

[died Dec. 21, 1798. 
Eli, " May 24, 1780. 

Isaac Boynton* and Hannah 
SHATTucKjf Sarah Shattuck. 

(Married Hannah, June 13, 1769 5 Sarah, 
May 14, 1771.) 

Hannah, born Oct. 3, 1769. 
Isaac, " Aug. 8, 1772, of 
Sarah. 



470 



PEPPERELL. i 



Sarah, 

Dolly, 

David, 

Abraham, 

Jonathan, 

Esther, 

John, 



born April 23, 
" Oct. 1, 
May 20, 
April 20, 
Mar. 2, 
April 10, 
" April (), 

* Died March IS, 1786 
i Died Oct. 7, 1769. 



1774. 

1776. 
1778. 
1780. 
1782. 
1784. 
178G. 



Susanna, born Oct. 30, 1752. 



NATHANfEL Bowers*' and Eliz- 
abeth, Sakah. 
James, born Mar. 10, 1751. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 23, 1758. 
Wilder, " Oct. 28, 17/2, of 
Sarah, 
Sarah, " July 3, 1774. 
* Died June 20, 1775. 

John Bowers and Lydia. 
John, born May 18, 1773, 

[died Aug. 24, 1776, in a tan-pit. 
Lydia, born Jan. 10, 1776. 
John " Sept. 25, 1780. 
Polly, " Mar. 19, 1786. 
Aaron, " Nov. 18, 1788. 

Rev. John Bullard and Eliza 

BETH Adams. 
Elizabeth, born Aug. 27, 1780. 
Lucretia, " June 8, 1782. 
John, " March 5, 1784. 

Royal, " May 15, 1786. 

Henry, " Sept. 9, 1788. 

Sarah, " April 1, 1791. 

Mary, " April 23, 1793. 

Charles- ,, j^^^ 24,1797. 
Adams, 

Jonathan Butterfield and 
Lydia. 
Mary, born May 9, 1764. 
Rachel, " July 11, 1766. 
Sybil, » Sept. 6, 1768. 

Phinehas Chamberlin and 
Lydia Williams. 
(Married March 19, 174.4-^.) 
Phinehas, born Jan. 9, 1745-6, 
Eleazer, " Mar. 13, 1746-7. 
Joseph, « Oct. 13, 1748. 
Lydia, " Oct. 2,1750. 



Isaac, 

Lucy, 

David, 

Benjamin, 

Elizabeth, 



Oct 
July 
Oct. 



12, 1755. 

30, 1757. 

11, 1759. 
Dec. 20, 1761. 
Sept. 17, 1766. 



Ja.mes Qolbdrn, Jr. and Sah 

Sarah, born Aug. 27, 1743. 
James, " July 27, 1745. 
William, " June 3, 1747. 
Jonathan, " Nov. 30, 1749. 
Thomas, " Oct. 10,1751. 
Samuel, " Aug. 30, 1754. 



Thomas Colburn and Esther. 

Esther, born May 30, 1758. 
James, " Sept. 1, 1759. 
Hannah, " Feb. 18, 1761. 



Elias Elliott and Ruth. 
Ruth, born June 18, 1745. 
Mary, " July 13, 1747. 
Elias, " June 25, 1750. 

Jeremiah Elliott and Rachel 
Pierce. 
(Married Oct. 26, 1763.) 
Prudence, born June 11, 1764. 
David, " Sept. 21, 1766. 

Jeremiah, " Aug. 7, 1769. 
Rachel, " Nov. 11, 1772. 
Ruth, " Mar. 11, 1775. 

Rev. Joseph Emerson * and 
Abigail. 

1 Mary, born Oct. 19, 1751. 

2 Joseph, « Oct. 11, 1754. 
4 Ebenezer, Nov. 28, 1762. 

3 Samuel- 



Moody, 



Sept. 13, 1757. 



J«"«P|]- " June 25, 1764. 

Sewall, ' 

* Died Oct. 29, 1775. 



Aaron Estabrooks and Han- 
nah. 

Nathan, born Feb. 5, 1760. 



APPENDIX. 



471 



JosiAH FiSK and Sarah. 



David, 


born Jan. 28, 1727- 


8, 






[died Oct. 28, 


1729. 


Sarah, 


(( 


Aug. 7, 1729, 








[died May 19, 


1731. 


Anna, 


(( 


Dec. 12, 1744, 








[died Feb. 12, 


1745. 


David, 


(( 


Dec. 1(3, 1731, 








[died Feb. 1, 


1766. 


Josiah, 


u 


Feb. 12, 1733, 








[died April 14, 


1766 


Sarah, 


(( 


Oct. 7, 1736. 




Amos, 


(( 


May 12, 1739. 




Daniel, 


(( 


May 18, 1742. 




Anna, 


(( 


Dec. 16, 1747. 




Abel, 


il 


May 28, 1752. 





Thomas Fisk * and Mart. 

Mary, born Oct. 18, 1743. 
Thomas, " Mar. 12, 1746. 
John, " July 23, 1748. 

Wainwright, Mar. 7, 1752, 
[died June 17, 1775, at Bunker 
Hill. 
* Died April 23, lloi, eet. 42. 



DAmEL Fisk and Elizabeth 
Yarn CM. 

(Married April 22, 1766.) 



Eleazer Gilson and Mary, 
Sybil Lakin. 



Mary, born 

Nathan, " 

Micah, " 

Walter, « 

Micah, " 

Daniel, " 

Betty, " 

Sarah, " 

Josiah, " 

Varnum, " 



Mar. 13, 1767. 

Jan. 3, ]769. 

June 11, 1771. 
[died Aug. 10, 1772. 

June 17, 1773. 

Jan. 9, 1775. 

Mar. 9, 1777. 

Feb. 17, 1779. 

July 1, 1781. 

Jan. 3, 1783. 

Sept. 13,1786. 



Thomas Fisk and Sarah 
Sheple. 
(Married Mar. 17, 1768.) 
Samuel, born Nov. 28, 1768. 
Asa, " July 1, 1771. 

Levi, " Feb. 16, 1775. 

Sarah, " Mar. 22, 1779. 



(Married Sybil, Oct. 30, 

Mary, born Oct. — , 

Catharine, " Nov. — , 

Lydia, " Dec. — , 

Eleazer, " Mar. — , 

Nathaniel," Sept. 17, 



of 



Elizabeth, " 

Peter, " 

James, " 

Sybil, " 

Hannah, " 

Susanna, " 

Anna, " 



Feb. 9, 
Feb. 28, 
April 4, 
Aug. 31, 
Jan. 8, 
Aug. 8, 
Jan. 19, 



17.'j3.) 

1749. 
1751. 
175.3. 
17.56. 
1759, 

Sybil. 
1762. 
1764. 
1766. 
1768. 
1770. 
1772. 
1776. 



Ebenezer Gilson, Jr. and 
Elizabeth Lawrence. 

(Married Aug. 2i, 1769) 

Abel, born Aug. 8, 1770. 
Nathan, " Feb. 26, 1773. 

Samuel Gilson and Elizabeth 
Shed. 



(Married Feb. 20, 1752.) 


Samuel, t 


)orn Dec. 23, 1752. 


Elizabeth 


" Dec. 19, 1754. 


Sarah, 


" Jan. 18, 1757. 


Rachel, 


" Dec. 13, 175.9. 


John, 


" Mar. 7, 1762. 


Hannah, 


« May 26, 1764. 


Joel, 


" Mar. 26, 1767. 


Alice, 


" April 12, 1769. 


Mary, 


" May 7, 1771. 


Rebecca, 


" June 20, 1773. 


Joseph, 


" July 30, 1775. 


Simon Gilson and Sarah Fisk. 


(Married April 14, 1756.) 


Jonas, born Dec. 19, 1756, 




[died Oct. 1, 1757. 


Sarah, 


" Aug. 24, 1758. 


Peter, 


« Jan. 21, 1761, 




[died Nov. 15, 1763. 


Hannah, 


" May 1, 1763. 


Simon, 


« Aug. 9, 1765, 




[died Mar. 10, 1770. 


Eunice, 


" Aug. 1, 1767. 


David, 


" Sept. 21, 1769. 



472 



PEPPERELL. 



Submit, born Aug. 11, 1771, 
Joaiah, " Oct. 27, 1773, 

[died Mar. 14, 1776. 
Simon, " April 24, 1777. 

James Green and Sarah. 
Sarah, born Dec. 30, 1739. 

James, " Sept. 5, . 

Mary, « Mar. 20, 1748. 
Elizabeth, Oct 11, 1750. 

James Green, Jr. and Priscilla 
Hartwell. 
(Married Sept. 9, 17GG ) 
Priscilla, born July 2, 17G6, 

[died Sept. 20, 1776. 
Sarah, » Nov. 6, 1770, 

[died Sept. 15, 1776. 
James, " July 1, 1773. 
Rachel, « Aug. 12, 1776. 
Priscilla, " April 9, 1779. 
Sarah, " Oct. 13, 1781. 

Lois, « Mar. 13,1786. 

William Green and Ruth, 
Hannah. 

1751. 
1753. 
1755. 
1757. 
1766, of 

Hannah. 
1767. 
1769. 
1771. 
1772. 
1774. 
1776. 



Ruth, born Aug. 18, 
Simon, " Jan. 31, 
William, " Jan. 17, 
Isaac, " Jan. 21, 
Hannah, " July 11, 



Levi, " 
Nathaniel, 



Nov. 6, 
March 5, 



Abigail, « May 29, 

Colburn, « Oct. 26, 

Anna, " April 15, 

Emerson, " Oct. 20, 



Simeon Green and Mart Shat- 

TUCK. 

(Married Sept. 13, 1753.) 
Oliver, born March 24, 1754. 
Simeon, " April 24, 1755. 
Hannah, " Sept. 23, 1757. 
Mary, " Nov. 16,1759. 

Samuel Green and Mary 
Wetherbee. 
(Married Dee. 8, 1762.) 
Mary, born Sept. 16, 1763. 
Joseph, " Nov. 24, 1766. 



Ephraim Hall and Hannah 
Spalding. 

(Married Sept. 10, 1755.) 
Ephraim, born March 8, 1757. 

Daniel Hobart and Kezia 

Wesson. 

(Married Jan. 22, 1772.) 

Nehemiah,* born May 25, 1773. 

Kezia, " April 11, 1775. 

* Slain Oct. 28, 1776. 

Joel Hobart and Ltdia. 
Lydia, born Dec. 1, 1779. 
Joel, " May 22, 1782. 
Grace, " May 26, 1784. 

Nehemiah Hobart and Rachel. 

Vid. Groton. 

Samuel Hosley* and Eliza- 

BETH.f 

Aaron, born April 22, 1742, 

[died June 5, 1775. 
Nov. 14, 1743. 
Nov. 20, 1745. 
Aug. 15, 1747. 



Betty, 

Lydia, 

Bridget, 

Timothy, 

Samuel, 

Joshua, 

John, 

Lydia, 

Stephen, 

Martha, 

Thomas, 



Dec. 6, 1749. 



Dec. 
Feb. 
Nov. 
Dec. 
May 
Nov. 



8, 1753. 

20, 1755. 
14, 1756. 
25, 1758. 

3, 1761. 

21, 1764, 



[died June 27, 1771. 

* Died Mar. 19, 1795. 
+ Died Dec. 2, 1785. 

Timothy Hosley* and Lydia 
Shattuck. 
(Married Mar. 22, 1774.) 
Pollv, 



Thomas, ' 
Timothy, 
Hannah, 
Lydia, 



born Nov. 27, 1774. 

" May 7, 1777. 
" May 14, 1780. 
« June 21, 1783. 



* Died Aug. 12, 1812. 

Aaron Hosley and Sarah 
Sarah, born Jan. 18, 1773. 



APPENDIX. 



473 



Benaiah Hutson and Dorothy 

Lawrence. 
Dorothy, born Dec. ^0, 1754. 
Benjaniin, " July 31, 1757. 
Elizabeth, " Sept. 18, 1759. 
Abigail, '« July 15, 17(jl. 
Rachel, '< Feb. 17, 17G4. 
Jane, " June ItJ, 17GG. 

William, » Aujr. 1}), 1708. 

Jedediah Jewett and Eliza- " 

BETH. 

Jedediah, born April 22, 1754. 
Edmund, " Feb. 11, 1757. 
Hepzibah, " Jan. 24, 17tJ0. 

Nehemiah Jewett* and Lydia. 

Ruth, born Mar. 24, 1752, 

[died Aug. 19, 1757. 

Daniel, " Nov. 12, 1754. 

Betty, " Dec. 9, 1756. 

Joseph, " May 14, 1759, 

[died April 26, 1783. 

* Died Sepl. 13, 1758. 

Nehemiah Jewett* and Sarah 

GREEN.f 
(Married Mar. 16, 17C2.) 

Nehemiah, born Sept. 1, 1762. 
Sarah, « April 28, 1764. 

James, " Jan. 7, 1767. 

Jonas, " Nov. 8, 1768. 

Nathan, « Feb. 10, 1771. 
Elizabeth, " Mar. 22, 177.3. 
Abel, " Aug. 1, 1777, 

[died Oct. 17, 1778. 
Thirza, " Mar. 3, 1780. 

Abel, « Mar. 30, 1782. 

* Died April 11, 1818. 
t Died Sept. 2(3, 182y. 

David Jewett and Sybil Gil- 
son,* Abigail Walker. 

(Married Sybil, July 23, 1766; Abigail, 
Nov. 23, 1768 ) 

Solomon, born May 15,1767. 
Sybil, » Jan. 21, 1770, of 

Abigail. 
Abigail, " Nov. 13, 1771. 
David, " May 2, 1774, 

[died Aug. 24, 1778. 

60 



Abigail, born April 17, 1776. 
Lois, " Sept. 20, 1778. 

Lydia, " April 16, 1781. 
Hulda, " Dec. 11, 1783. 
* Died May 24, 17G7. 

Caleb Jewett and Mary 
Green,* Elizabeth. 
(Married Mary, Mar. *2, 1774.) 
Mary, born Mar. 17, 1775. 
Daniel, " Feb. 9, 1777. 
Betty, " Dec. 10, 1778. 
Sarah, " May 12, 1780. 
Caleb, « July 30, 1784, of 

Elizabeth. 
Anna, " Dec. 8, 1787. 
David, " June 20, 1791. 
Asher, " July 18, 1794. 
* Died Feb. 7, 1782. 

Edward Jewett and Sarah. 

Jesse, born Nov. 17, 1752. 
Abigail, " Oct. 11, 1755. 
Isabel, " Oct. 29, 1758. 

Benjamin Jewett and Sarah 
Flagg. 
(Married Dec. 31, 1754..) 
Sarah, born Dec. 8, 1755. 
Benjamin, " Sept. 19, 17.57, 

[died Aug. 15, 1759. 
Hepzibah, " Mar. 27, 1759. 
Hannah, " Feb. 10, 1761, 

[died Mar. 1, 1764. 
Eleazer, " died Aug. 15, 1765. 
Benjamin, " April 27, 1765. 
Ruth, " Jan. 3, 1767. 

Joseph Jewett and Mary. 
Joseph, born June 29, 1743. 
Mary, " Oct. 6, 1745. 
John, » May 1, 1749. 

Robertson Lakin and Hannah. 

Anna, born Jan. 16, 1747. 
James, '• June 2, 1749. 
Elizabeth, " June 4, 1751, 

[died Nov. 25, 1753. 
Mary, " Sept 4, 1753, 

[died Nov. 8, 1753. 



474 



PEPPEREI^L. 



Robertson, born Sept, 10, 1755. 



Betty, 

Winslow, " 
Nathaniel, " 
Mary, " 



Dec. 14, 1757, 

[died Nov. 3, 1774. 
Aug. 27, 1759. 
June 10, 1762. 
Dec. 29, 1766. 



Jonathan Lampson and Mary. 

Abigail, born July 9, 1759. 
Ephraim, " June 19, 1762. 

Oliver Lampson and Jane. 
Olive, born July 4, 1762. 

Jeremiah Lawrence and Eliza- 
beth Chamberlin. 

(Married Mar. 23, 1736-7.) 
Esther, born Sept. 9. Vid. Groton. 

James Lawrence, Jr. and Eliz- 
abeth FiSK. 

(Married Sept. 21, 1756.) 

Molly, born Feb. 13, 1757. 



Mary, born Nov. 30, 1768. 
David, " June 2, 1771. 
Jonas, " Oct. 24, 1773. 

Ephraim Lawrence and Anna 
FisK,* Ruth. 
(Married Anna, Mar. 3, 1768.) 
Ebenezer, born June 9, 1770. 



Anna, 
Ruth, 

Sarah, 



Elizabeth, ' 


' Dec. 


15, 


1759. 


Tamar, ' 


' May 


2, 


1762. 


Patience, ' 


' May 


29, 


1764. 


James, ' 


' Jan. 


20, 


1767. 


Absalom, ' 


' Mar. 


11, 


1770. 


Abel, 


' April 


24, 


1772. 


Hulda, 


' Feb. 


13, 


1775. 



George- 

Whitefield, 

Sarah, 

Mary- 

Emerson, 

* Died June 12, 1774 



July 26,1772. 
April 8, 1777, of 
Ruth. 
April 18, 1779, 
[died Dec. 16, 1779. 

Oct. 1, 1780. 

Aug. 28, 1782. 

Nov. 27, 1784. 



Joseph Lawrence* and Eliza 

BETH. 

Elizabeth, born Oct. 



Zeruiah, 

Anna, 

Lucy, 

Joseph, 

Martin, 

Joshua, 

Sarah, 



11, 1739, at 
Groton. 
93, 1742. 

6, 1743. 

7, 1747. 
6, 1749. 

17, 1751. 
April 18, 1753. 
Sept. 14, 1756. 



Mar. 

Dec. 

May 

April 

May 



Benjamin Lawrence and Stbil.* 
Prudence, born Oct. 21, 1770. 
Jesse, " Mar. 1, 1774. 

Benjamin, " June 1, 1780. 
Jacob, " June 16, 1784. 

* Died Nov. 28, 1797. 

Lemuel Lawrence* and Sarah 
Williams. 
(Married Jan. 21, 1768.) 
Sarah, born Oct. 13, 1768. 
Lemuel, " Aug. 6, 1770. 
Olive, " Feb. 13, 1772. 

* Died April 24, 1773. 

Joseph Lawrence and Lydia 
Shattuck. 
(Married April 9, 1771 ) 
Joseph, born Feb. 15, 1773. 



# Died Oct 10, 1757, set. 33. 

Thomas Lawrence and Sarah. 
Thomas, born April 19, 1758. 
Sarah, " May 28, 1760. 
Ezekiel, " July 2, 1762. 
Nicholas. " Sept. 18, 1764. 
John, " Aug. 30, 1766. 



Lydia, 

Phebe, 

Eunice, 

Sybil, 

Abraham, 

Abijah, 

Levi, 

Joshua, 

Bryant, 



Mar. 9, 1775. 
Mar. 16, 1777. 
July 16, 1780. 
July 16, 1782. 
April 19, 1784, 
[died July 14, 1806. 
Feb. 25, 1786, 
[died Feb. 27, 1808. 
April 25, 1788, 
[died April 11, 1816. 
Feb. 3, 1790, 

[died Mar. 1812. 
April 22, 1795. 



APPENDIX, 



475 



Jeremiah Lawrence and Anna 
Woods. 

(Married Feb. 1, 1774 ) 
Jeremiah, born Mar. 8, 1775. 
Nathaniel, « Mar. 14, 1777. 
Anna, " July 29, 1779. 

Betsey, « Nov. 22, 1788. 

Francis Lee and Abigail. 
Hannah, born June 18, 1773. 
Francis, " Jan. 17, 1775. 

Ebenezer Laughton and Abi- 
gail Blood. 
(Married Dec. 1,1768.) 

Ebenezer, born Mar. 15, 1770. 



John Mosher and Elizabeth 
Lawrence. 



Jonathan Lewis and Persis. 


Persia, born Dec. 


15, 1755, at 






Billerica 


Jonathan, ' 


' Mar. 


20, 1758, do. 


Mary, ' 


' April 


3, 1761. 


Rhoda, ' 


' Oct. 


17, 1763. 


Isaac, ' 


' Feb. 


4, 1766. 


David, ' 


' May 


7, 1768. 


Anna, ' 


' July 


17, 1770. 


Abigail, ' 


' Oct. 


2, 1773. 



Primus Lew and Rose. 
Relief, born Jan. 11, 1757. 
Mary, " Jan. 27, 1759. 

■EJOY and Apphia. 
Mar. 25, 1747. 
Nov. 20, 1749. 
Oct. 23, 1751. 
May 29, 1753, 
[died Nov. 1, 1755. 
Oct. 28, 1755. 
Aug. 24, 1757. 
June 7,1759. 
Mar. 11,1761. 
Nov. 26, 1762. 
April 5, 1764. 
Aug. 11, 1765. 
July 9, 1767- 
June 21, 1769. 
Mar. 29, 1772. 

Peter McMurfee and Sarah. 
John, born June 17, 1763. 



Nathan Lov 


Mary, born 


Nathan, 


« 


Grace, 


(( 


Samuel, 


u 


Apphia, 


11 


Samuel, 


« 


Phillip, 


u 


Abner, 


<( 


Zeruiah, 


(( 


Ruth, 


(( 


Preston, 


(( 


Jesse, 


u 


Theodore 


(( 


Lois, 


u 



Mary, born 
John, " 

James, " 
Abijah, " 
Daniel, " 
Josiah, " 
Elizabeth, « 
Hannah, " 



April 11, 1743. 
Feb. 8, 1745. 
July 31, 1747. 
Aug. 17, 1749. 
Aug. 2, 1752. 
May 31, 1757. 
July 31, 1760. 
April 5, 1764. 



Lieut. John Mosher and Hannah 
Warren. 

(Married Oct. 3, 1770) 

Charles, born Feb. 21, 177-2. 

Rogers, " Mar. 24, 1774. 

Warren, " Sept. 18, 1776. 

Abel, » Oct, 14, 1779. 

John Nutting and Martha 
Blood. 

{Married Nov. 11, 175G.) 

Mary, born Jan. 15, 1758, 

[died Jan. 18, 1758- 
John, « Feb. 11, 1759. 
Martha, " Mar. 8, 1761. 
Eunice, " July 13, 1763. 
Sarah, « Sept. 20, 1765. 
Mary, « Mar. 27, 1768. 
Levi, " June 26, 1770. 
Lydia, « July 22, 1772. 
William, " Dec. 4, 1774. 



Oliver Newhall and Abigail 
Phillips. 

(Married May 3, 1774.) 



Oliver, born 


Nov. 19, 1774. 


Ezekiel, " 


Jan. 6, 1776. 


Daniel, " 


Nov. 13, 1778. 


Sarah, " 


Mar. — , 1780. 


Elizabeth, " 


April 9, 1782. 


John, " 


Dec. 15, 1783. 


Mary, " 


Oct 4, 1785. 


Joseph, " 


Jan. 15, 1787. 


Rebecca, " 


Mar. 1, 1769. 


William, " 


Jan. 17, 1793. 


Sukey, " 


Feb. 9, 1795, 




died July 8, 1797, 


Sukey, " 


Nov. 4, 1799. 



476 



PEPPERELL. 



JosiAH Nutting and Zeruiah 
Lawrence. 
(Married Sept. 24., I7G7.) 
Betty, born June '25, 17G8. 
Josiah, " May 2, 1770. 
Jacob, « Feb. 24, 1772. 
Abijah, " Jan. 28, 1774. 
Joel, « Mar. 8, 1776. 

Abel, « Dec. 27, 1779. 
Benjamin, " Jan. 3, 1781. 
Anna, " Jan. 27, 1783. 

Edmund Parker and Lydia 
Varnum.* 

(Married July 2"i, 1755) 

Lydia, born July 30, 175(^ 

Edmund, " May 2-i, 1761. 

Asa, " Dec. 29, 1763. 

Jonas, " July 16, 1706. 
James, " April 10, 1769. 

John, « Oct. 3, 1774. 

Elizabeth," Jan. 26,1778. 

* Died Aug. i, 175G. 

Nathaniel Parker, Jr.* and 
Ruth Shattuck. 
(Married Feb. 21, 17G0.) 
Sarah, born July 22, 1761. 
Ruth, " Mar. 10, 1764. 

Caleb, " Aug. 20, 1768. 
Nathaniel, " April 12, 1771. 
Thomas, « Mar. 2, 1774. 

* Killed at Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775. 
Nathaniel Parker, 3d,* and 

LvDIA.f 

Lydia, born July 3, 1765. 
Caleb, " Sept. 7, 1767. 
Betty, " Oct. 14, 1770. 
Lucy, " May 26, 1773. 

* Died May 8, 1776. 
t Died July 28, 1819. 

Abijah Parker and Sarah Law- 
rence. 
(Married Jan. 21, 1772.) 
Sarah, born Sept. 13, 1772. 
Abijah, " Aug. 7, 1774. 
Elizabeth, " Oct. 14, 1776. 
Mary, « Sept. 24, 1779. 
Phinehas, " Mar. 12, 1782. 



Martha, born June 29, 1784. 
Edmund- , ^^^ 2 j^g-, 
Lawrence, ^^^^^ ^^^^ g^ J.gg^ 

Edmund, " June 4, 1790, 

[died Feb. 7, 1792. 

Silas Parkhurst and Sarah. 
Lydia, born Oct. 13, 1763. 
Sarah, " Feb. 22, 1765. 

EzEKiEL Perham and Eunice 
Turner. 
(Married Feb. 15, 1759.) 
Eunice, born May 25, 1762. 
Ezekiel, " May 27, 1764. 
David, " Dec. 8, 1766, 

[died April 20, 1800. 
John, " Mar. 25, 1769. 

Jonathan, " July 4, 1773. 
Elizabeth, " Oct. 23, 1774. 
Submit, " Dec. 8, 1775. 
Keziah, " Sept. 27, 1778. 

Anna Perkins, born 1755. 

Ebenezer Pierce and Mart. 
Isaac, born June 20, 1745. 
Abigail, " June 20, 1748. 
Sarah, " July 24, 1751. 
Ephraim, " Sept. 24, 1753. 
Eunice, " June 5, 1756. 

Isaac Pierce* and Sarah. 
Sarah, born Oct 17, 1770. 
Eunice, " Dec. 16, 1772. 
Ebenezer, " Nov. 24, 1774. 

* Died Sept. 20, 1775. 

Col. William Prescott* and 
Abigail HALE.f 

William, born Aug. 19, 1762. 

* Died Oct. 13, 1795. 
t Died Oct. 19, 1821. 

Nathaniel Sartell* and Cath- 
arine,! Abigail.^ 
Lucy, born Nov. 10, 1758. 
Nathaniel, " Oct. 27, 1760. 
Catharine, " Oct. 14, 1762, 

[died June 30, 1776. 



APPENDIX. 



477 



Hannah, born Nov. 26, 1764. 

Elizabeth, " June 7, 1767. 

Josiah, " Jan. 8, 1770. 

Sarah, « May 1, 1772. 

Mercy, " Aug. 18, 1774. 

John- pg,^ jg ^^jQ 

Hawthorne, ' 

" Died Jan. 1822 

t Died Nov. 29, 1777. 

t Died Feb. 19, 1779. 

Joseph Saunderson and Anna 
Williams. 
(Married March 10, 1763.) 
Joseph, born Aug. 23, 1764. 
John " Sept. 7, 1766. 

David, » Sept. 10, 1768. 
Eunice, " Nov. 9, 1770. 
Anna, « Oct. 8, 1772. 
Micah, « Oct. 10, 1774. 
Joel, « Aug. 18, 1776. 

Benjamin Saunderson and Es- 
ther. 

David, bom Jan. 23, 1773. 

rJoHN Scott and Esther. 
Esther, born Sept. 7, 1759. 
Thomas, » June 25, 1761. 

Thomas Seward and Hannah. 
Thomas, born July 11, 1754. 
Josiah, « Feb. 22, 1756. 
Samuel, " Apr. 12, 1757. 

Samuel Shattuck, Jr.,* and 
Elizabeth, f 

Samuel, born Sept. 17, 1757. 
Stephen, ^' Feb. 5, 1760. 
Annah, " Mar. 12, 1762. 
Jesse, " Jan. 9, 1764, 
Elizabeth, " Jan. 7, 1766. 

* Died Sept. 16, 1805. 
t Died Nov. 10, 180G. 

James Shattuck and Phebe 
Tucker. 
(Married Dec. 9, 1755.) 
Phebe, born Nov. 8, 1756. 
Ruth, " Aug. 4, 1758. 
Nathan, " Oct. 19, 1760. 
James, " June 6, 1763. 



Josiah, born Mar. 26, 1770. 
Zimri, " June 4, 1772, 

[died Dec. 29, 1797. 

Jonathan Shattuck and Kezia. 
Kezia, born Feb. 4, 1745. 
Jonathan, " Mar. 16, 1747. 
Ames, " Oct. 2, 1749. 

Eleazer, " Oct. 15, 1751. 
Alice, " May 8, 1754. 

Joshua, " Feb. 4, 1756. 
Ebenezer, " Dec. 25, 1760. 
Joel, " Nov. 21, 1763, 

[died Mar. 16, 1782. 



John S 


hattu«k * and Sarah, 






Ltdia. -t?" -.?:- 


Maria, 


born Sept. 26, 1740. 


Martha, 


(( 


June 29, 1745. 


Peter, 


u 


April 2, 1748, 
[died June 17, 1774. 


Abel, 


(( 


Feb. 15, 1750. 


Jonas, 


(( 


July 23, 1751. 


Lucy, 


(( 


May 4, 1753.-^ 


Asa, 


u 


Mar. 3, 1755, died. 


Lydia, 


li 


May 9, 1760, of^ 
Lydia. 


Asa, 


u 


May 21, 1762. . 


Israel, 


(( 


June 17, 1764. 



* Died Dec. 15, 1785, set. 73. 

John Shattuck, Jr., and Eliz- 
abeth Shattuck. 
(Married Aug. 15, 1750.) 

Elizabeth, born June 11, 1751. 

Olive, « Jan. 27, 1753. 

Sarah, « Feb. 23, 1755. 

John, " July 7, 1757. 

Sybil, « Sept. 23, 1759. 

Emerson, " Oct. 12, 1761. 

Nathaniel, " Jan. 5, 1764. 

Eunice, " July 23,1767. 

Caleb, " April 26, 1770. 

Zaccheus Shattuck and Azu- 

BAH ChaMBERLIN. 

(Married July 12, 1759.) 
Azubah, born Aug. 2, 1760. 
Zaccheus, " Sept. 8, 1761. 
Jacob, « Mar. 19, 1763. 
Esther, " May 10, 1764. 



478 



PEPPERELL. 



Noah, born Feb. 21, 1766. 
Susanna, " April 7, 1768. 

David Shattuck and Dorothy.* 

(Vid Groton for first seven ) 
Sarah, born Sept. 22, 1750. 
Mary, " April 13, 1752. 
Elijah, " Oct. 3, 1754. 
Jonas, " Dec. 2, 1756. ^ 
« Died Dec. 23, 175G. 

David Shattuck, Jr., and Sa- 
rah Burt. 
(Married May 20, 1756.) 
Daniel, born Nov. 15, 1758. 
Rhoda, " July 29, 1760. 
Sarah, « Nov. 22,1762. 
David, " Jan. 5,1765. 
Oliver, " July 30, 1768. 
Junia, " Aug. 12, 1771. 

Jeremiah Shattuck, Jr., and 
Lydia,* Kezia Shattuck. 

(Married Kezia, Nov. 26, nG?. Vid Gro- 
ton for first five.) 

Eunice, born Oct. 28, 1761. 
Sarah, " July 18, 1764. 

Levi, " Aug. 8, 1768, of 

Kezia. 
Kezia, « Aug. 31, 1770, 

[died Feb. 7, 1771. 
Moody, " April 28, 1772. 
Amaziah, " May 17, 1774. 
Jeremiah, " Aug. — , 1776. 
Daniel, " Oct. 26, 1778. 
Kezia, " Mar. 21, 1781. 

Rhoda, " Mar. 1, 1784. 
Leah, " June 10, 1786. 

* Died Feb. 19, 1767. 

Nehemiah Shattuck and Bet- 
ty HOSLEY. 
(Married Feb. 9, 1764.) 
Betty, born Mar. 12, 1765. 
Rebekah, " Jan. 28, 1769. 
Nehemiah, " July 23, 1772. 
Aaron, " Oct. 30, 1776. 

Elijah Shattuck and Lydia. 
Elijah, born Feb. 10, 1776, died. 
Hannah, « June 9, 1777. 



David, born May 11,1779. 
Jepthah, " Sept 19, 1781. 
Polly, *' Jan. 27, 1784. 
Betsey, " July 19, 1785. 
Rowland, " Mar. 5, 1788. 
Thirza, " Feb. 13, 1791. 

Reuben Shattuck and Lydia 
Parker. 

(Married Nov. 25, 1773.) 

Reuben, born Sept. 2.5, 1775. 
Lydia, " June 11, 1778.--^ 
Sarah, •' Aug. 18, 1783. 

Solomon Shattuck and Hepzi- 
BAH Perkins. 

(Married Aug. 27, 1763.) 

Hepzibah, born Mar. 20, 1764, 

[died July 14, 1789. 

Solomon, " Mar. 18, 1766, 

[died Oct. 31, 1788. 

Hulda, " June 20, 1769, 

[died May )7, 1790. 

Molly, « Oct 12, 1771. 

Joseph Shattuck and Mart 
Lampson,* Elizabeth. 

(Married Mary, Jan. 16, 1770.) 

Joseph, born Sept 21, 1771. 
Mary, " Jan. 2, 1774. 

Amos, " June 2, J 776. 
Sarah, « April 27, 1780. 
Joseph, " Jan. 22, 1783, of 

Elizabeth. 
Joel, " Oct 22, 1784. 

Betty, " Mar. 24, 1787. 
Asenath, " May 2, 1790. 
* Died April 23, 1781. 



Jonathan Shattuck, Jr., and 
Abia. 



Abijah, 

Jonathan, 

Sarah, 

Vryling, 

Molly, 

Lucinda,* 

Thomas, 



born Jan. 16, 1770. 
" Nov. 9, 1772. 
" June 5, 1773. 
" Sept. 29, 1774. 

[ " Aug. 14, 1776. 

" Oct 23,1779. 



* Died Sept. 27, 1779. 



APPENDIX. 



479 



Timothy Shattcck and Han- 
nah Nutting. ' 
(Married Jan. 7, 1762) 
Timothy, born Nov. 21, 1762. 
Caleb, « Mar. 1, 17(34. 

Simeon Shattuck and Lydia 
Jewett. 
(Married Dec. 31, 1767.) 
Obal, or Obil, born Nov. 8, 1770. 
Micah, " Dec. 1, 1772. 

Lydia, " Nov. 13, 1774r 

Sewall, " Mar. 31, 1777. 

Edmund Shattuck and Abigail 
Chamberlin. 
(Married June 7,1770 ) 
Rachel, born Mar. 9, 1771. 
Edmund, " Oct. 1, 1772. 

Daniel Shed and Hannah 
La kin. 



Jonathan Shipley and Abigail 
Blood. 

(Married Oct. II, 1764.) 
Abigail, bom April 14, 17(35. 



Jonathan, 


u 


Nov. 28, 


17(jr). 


Tryphena, 


^^ 


Aug. 23, 


17(38. 


John, 


i( 


Sept. 1, 


J 770. 


Nathan, 


(( 


Nov. 23, 


1772. 


Hannah, 


(( 


Dec. 3, 


1774. 


Eunice, 


u 


Mar. 11, 


1777. 


Anna, 


u 


Sept. 19, 


1779. 


Joel, 


n 


April 17, 


1782. 



Lemuel Sheplet* and Sarah 

COLBURN. 

(Married Mar. 14, 1765.) 
Sarah, born June 13, 1766. 



(Married 
Hannah, born 
Rebecca, " 
Daniel, " 
Simon, " 
Rachel, « 

Ascenath, " 
Willard, " 
Betsey, *' 



Nov. 23, 1757.) 
May 23, 1759. 
Jan. 22, 1761. 
Feb. 8, 1703. 
April 14, 1765. 
Mar. 3, 1767, 
[died July 30,1773. 
Aug. 6, 1769. 
Nov. 11, 1773. 
Nov. 15, 1784. 



John Shed and Esther Wright. 
(Married Dec. 20. 1764.) 

Esther, born Feb. 24, 1766. 

Abigail, " April 13, 1768. 

John, " July 24, 1770. 

George, " May 28, 1772. 

Rachel, " June 21, 1775. 

Joshua, " Jan. 13, 1778. 

Abijah, " Nov. 22, 1779. 

Betsey, " Sept. 20, 1785. 

David Shed and Lucy Blood.* 

(Married Feb. 4, 1773.) 

David, born Jan. 5, 1774. 
* Died Nov. 13, 1834. 

Abel Shepley and Lucy. 
Abel, born Nov. 28, 1769. 



Josiah, " 

Elizabeth, " 

Lemuel, " 

Daniel, " 

Lucy, ) ,; 
James, ^ 

Submit, " 



June 13, 1769. 
July 23, 1772. 
Sept. 20, 1774. 
Mar. 28, 1777. 

June 24, 1780. 

July 2, 1783. 



* Died Feb. 23, 1783. 



Daniel Smith and Ruhamah. 
Daniel, born Mar. 14, 1770. 



Hannah, 
Ezekiel, " 
Ruhamah, " 
John, " 

Keziah, " 



Mar. 22, 1772. 
June 19, 1774. 
Feb. 2, 1777. 
May 29, 1779. 
Feb. 15, 1782. 



William Spaulding and Hepzi- 

bah. 
Abel, born May 12, 1755. 

Thomas Spaulding* and Lydia 

SHEPLE.f 
(Married April 3, 1766.) 
Ithamar, born Mar. 2, 1767. 
Thirza, » May 12, 1769. 
Lydia, " June 6, 1771. 
Asher, " July 4, 1773. 
A son, " Dec. 3, 1775, 

[died Dec. 10, 1775. 
Joseph, " Oct. 6, 1777. 
* Died Dec. 17, 1802. 
t Died Dec. 11, 1810. 



480 



PEPPERELL. 



Henry Spaulding* and Rachel 

CONANT. 

(Married Nov. 22, 1770 ) 
Rachel, born June 18, 1773. 
Hepzibah, " Aug. 13, 1775. 
* Died Mar. 12, 1775. 

Eleazer Spaulding and Mary. 
Eleazer, born Jan. 21, 1759. 
Josiah, " Oct. 23, 17()0. 
Mary, " Dec.25, I7(;2. 
Seth, " May 7, 17G5. 

John, " May 12, 1770. 

Elizabeth, " Jan. 6, 1773. 

Joseph Spaulding and Phebe.* 
Oliver, born Sept. 16, 176-3. 
Phebe, " Oct. 4, 1764, 

[died Sept. 20, 1773. 
Betty, " Sept. 16, 1766. 
* Died Jan. 4, 1773. 

Jonathan Stevens and Eliza- 
beth Parker, 
(Married June 25, 1761 ) 
Jonathan, born May 2, 1762. 



Anna, " 

Elizabeth, " 

Reuben, " 

Ephraim, " 

David, " 

Rachel, " 

Nathaniel- ^^ 
Parker, 

Lavina, " 

Prudence, " 



Mar. 9, 1764. 
Mar. 22, 1766. 
Oct. 6, 1768. 
Jan. 10, 1771. 
Sept. 4, 1773. 
Mar. 24, 1776. 

May 29, 1778. 

Feb. 24, 1781. 
May 6, 1782. 



James Tarbell and Esther. 



James, born 
Esther, " 
William, " 

Sarah, " 

Abel, " 

Edmund, " 

Asa, " 

Sewall, " 

Lucy, " 

Lydia, " 

James, " 

Daniel, " 



Sept. 28, 1756. 
June 29, 1758. 
April 15, 1760, 
[died Mar. 14, 1762. 
Oct. 9, 1763. 
July 16, 1765. 
June 12, 1767. 
Sept. 15, 1768. 
April 5, 1770. 
Nov. 16, 1771. 
Feb. 22, 1775. 
Jan. 5, 1777. 
April 7, 1780. 



William Tarbell* and SARAH.f 

William, born April 6, 1746. 

Nehemiah, " Oct. 3, 1747. 

Sarah, " Mar. 26, 1750. 

Susanna, " Mar. 24, 1752. 

Jonas, " Dec. 7, 1754. 

Joseph, «' Aug. 8, 1757. 

* Died Nov. II, 1791. 
t Died Dec. 26, 1757. 

David Tarbell and Bathsheba. 
David, born Feb. 2, 1759. 
Hannah, " Feb. 5, 1761. 
Sybil, " April 4, 1763. 

Asa, " May 30, 1765. 

Eunice, " June 6, 1767. 
Bathsheba, " Sept. 18, 1775. 
Betsey, " May 29, 1785. 



William T 
Sukey, born 
John, " 
Sally, « 
William, " 
Samson, " 
Betsey, " 
Beckey, " 
Brooks, " 
Polly, " 



ARBELL and Dolly. 
Jan. 24, 1772. 
May 14, 1774. 
April 19, 1776. 
June 22, 1778. 
June 9, 1781. 
Mar. 11, 1783. 
July 22, 1786. 
May 3, 1789. 
Mar. 6, 1792. 



Samuel Temple and Hannah. 
Phebe, born Nov. 5, 1754. 
Ebenezer, " April 5, 1757. 

Moses Thurston and Hannah. 
Lydia, born July 6, 17.56, 

[died Oct. 28, 1757. 

Jonas Varnum and Rebekah. 
John, born Oct. 26, 1763. 
Rebekah, " Jan. 2(5, 1768, 

[died May 27, 1776. 
Jonas- 



Spaulding 



" Mar. 1, 1774. 



Joseph Warner and Bridget 
Hosley. 
(Married April 17, 1766 ) 
Richard, born Feb. 14, 1769. 
Joseph, " Mar. 5, 1771. 



APPENDIX. 



481 



Prudence, born April 17, 1773, 

[died April 30, 1773. 
Betsey, " June 25, 1774. 
Samuel, " Sept. 17, 1777. 
Sally, " Oct. 11, 1780. 

John, « Mar. 25, 1782. 

Daniel, « June 8, 1784. 

William Warren and Hannah,* 
Sarah Stevens. 
(Married Sarah, Feb. 12, 17G1.) 
William, born April 15, 1747. 



Jonas, 


(( 


Jan. 27, 1749. 


Joseph, 


11 


June 25, 1750.- 


Hannah, 


u 


June 7,1753. 


Sarah, 


(( 


Dec. 16, 1755, 
[died Mar. 24, 1757 


Sarah, 


(( 


Nov. 20, 1761, of 
Sarah 


Elizabeth, 


IC 


Dec. 9, 1763, 
[died Aug. 24, 1767 


Samuel, 


(( 


May 24, 1766, 



* Died May 12, 17G0. 
Benjamin Wheeler* and Han- 

NAH.f 

Hannah, born Sept. 19, 1769. 
Benjamin, " April 30, 1771. 
Ebenezer, " Mar. 28, 1773. 
Josiah, « May 20, 1776. 
Joseph- , ^^^^ ^ -,j,g 
Emerson, ' 

* Died Jan. 21, 1814. 
t Died Aug. 11, 1818. 

Patrick White and Sarah 
Shattuck. 

(Married Aug. 5, 1762.) 
Sarah, born April 28, 1763. 
Molly, » Feb. 28, 1766. 
Jeremiah, " July 16, 1768. 
Betty, " Dec. 4, 1770. 

John White and Sybil Shat- 

TCCK. 
(Married Aug. 5, 1762.) 
John, born Aug. 31, 1763. 
Sybil, " Jan. 24, 1766. 

David, " Jan. 23, 1769. 
Nathaniel, " April 30, 1773, 

[died May 21, 1773. 

61 



Nathaniel, born May 25,1774. 
Lois, " Aug. 9, 1778. 



Joseph Whi 
Abigail, born 
Benjamin, " 
Lydia, " 
Maria, " 
Sybil, " 
Rebecca, " 
Joseph, " 



tney* and Abigail. 



Aug. 16, 1740. 
Oct. 27, 3741. 
Aug. 18, 1743. 
May 30, 1746. 
Dec. 25, 1748. 
Mar. 6, 1750. 
June 26, 1753. 
[died Jan. 28, 1754. 
< )ct. 2;i, 1755. 
Dec. 6, 1757. 



Joseph, 
James, 

* Died Sept. 16, 17—, aet. 81 years. 



Benjamin Whitney and Mary 
Turner, Anna. 
(Married Aug. 12, 1762 ) 
Benjamin, born May 5, 1764. 



David, 


u 


Feb. 11, 


1766. 


Abel, 


<( 


Mar. 15, 


1770. 


Thomas, 


u 


July 15, 


1780. 


Abijah, 


(( 


Aug. 22, 


1781. 


Joseph, 


1( 


April 18, 


1784. 


Aaron, 


<( 


Feb. 22, 


1786. 


Polly, 


(( 


Jan. 2.5, 


1788. 


Hannah, 


(( 


Jan. 7, 


1792. 


Franklin, 


(( 


Nov. 30, 


J810, of 
Anna. 


George, 


li 


Mar. 24, 


1813. 



Eleazer Whipple and Abigail 
Chamberlin. 
(Married April 19, 1759.) 
Sarah, born Mar. 28, 1760. 
John, " Sept. 13, 1761. 
Joseph, " Sept. 9, 1769. 

Henry Willard and Phebe. 
John, born May 11, 1756. 



Mary, 


" Dec. 


31, 


1757. 


Abigail, 


" Aug. 


13, 


1760. 


Sarah, 


" April 


2, 


1763. 


Lydia, 


" June 


13, 


1765. 


Jacob, 


« July 


24, 


1767. 


Thomas Williams and Mary 




Rolf 


. 




(Married Jan. 2y, 17 


45-6.) 


Thomas, 


born Mar. 


21 


, 1747, 




[died 


Nov. 11, 1747. 



482 



PEPPERF.LL. 



Lydia, born Aug. 22, 1748, 

[died Nov. 14, 1749. 
Mary, " July J6, 17.i0. 

Lydia, " Feb. 28, 1752. 
Sarah, " April 14, 1754. 

Jerusha, " April 28, I7G4. 
Submit, " Oct. 2, 17(i7. 
Jonah, " Mar. 22, 17G9. 

Isaac Williams, Jr., and Eliz- 
abeth Tucker. 
(Married May 19, 1757.) 
Betty, born June 22, 1758. 



Isaac, 


" Mar. 


5, 


17G0. 


Abigail, 


" Nov. 


26, 


1761. 


Thomas, 


« Sept. 


29, 


1703. 


Hannah, 


" Mar. 


9, 


176G. 


Mary, 


» July 


16, 


17G8. 


Hulda, 


" Apri' 


1, 


1771. 


Edamnd, 


" Jan. 


5, 


1775. 



Richard Williams * and Sa- 
rah GiLSON. 
(Married Nov. 9, 1769) 
David, born Nov. 17, 1770. 
Peter, " April 30, 1773. 

Ebenezer, " Sept. 3, 177G. 
Sarah, " Feb. 23. 1780. 
Susanna, " July 19, 1782. 
* Died May 11, 1732. 

Benjamin Williams and Pru- 
dence. 
Sarah, born March 3, 1768. 

Charles Witherell and Ruth,* 
Sarah Tareell. 
(Married Sarah, Jan. 4, 1759.) 
Obadiah, born Aug. 26, 1748 



Mary, 
Charles, 

Ruth, 
Leah, 

Lucy, 
Charles, 



Mar. 2G, 1753. 
May 27, 1751, 
[died Jan. 28, 1757. 
July 26, 17.55. 

1, 1759, of 
Sarah. 
13, 1761. 
8, 1763. 



Oct, 

Nov. 
Oct. 



Died July oO, 1757. 



MosES Woods and Esther. 
Joseph, born Jan. 3, 1754. 
Anna, " April 7, 1755. 



Ephraim Woods and Bath- 
sheba. 
Rebekah, born Dec. 21, 1754. 
Levina, •' Mar. 2G, 1757. 



Aaron 


Woods and R 


ebecca 


Rebecca, 


born June 13, 


1764. 


Lucv, 




Mar. 22, 


1766. 


Haiah, 




April 12, 


1768. 


Lydia, 




Feb. 23, 


1770. 


Grace, 




Mar. 24, 


1772. 


Hcpzibah 


J 


April 24, 


1774. 


Aaron, 




May 30, 


1776. 


Susanna, 




April 29, 


1778. 


Benjamin 


5 


Aug. 22, 


1780. 


Joseph, 




Sept. 19, 


1782. 


Hannah, 




Sept. 23, 


1784. 


Sarah, 




Aug. 14, 


1786. 



Capt. Isaac Woods and Tryphe- 
NA Parker, Anne (Hazelton ? 
or Willard ?) Mart Woods. 

(Married Anne, Jan. 19, 1758; married 
Mary, Oct. 11, 1759.) 

Abigail, born Feb. 26, 1756, of 
Tryphena. 
Anne, " July 28, 1760, of 

Mary ; died Jan. 2, 1778. 
Isaac, born May 17, 1762. 
Mary, " Dec. 1, 1764. 

Tryphena, '' Jan. 31, 1767. 
Jonathan, " April 2, 1769, 

[died Oct. 10, 1769. 
Jacob, " Aug. 20, 1770. 
James, " June 1, 1772. 
Lucy, " Jan. 21, 1774. 

Sarah, " Aug. 26, 1776. 
Joseph, " Sept. 26, 1779. 

Henry Woods and Deborah 
Parker. 



Henry, born 

Deborah, '• 

Samson, " 

Sarah, « 

Hannah, " 

Abigail, " 

Thomas, " 

Lydia, " 

Milly, " 

Rebekah, " 



Dec. 11, 17.56. 
Aug. 2, 1758. 
Sept. 13, 1760. 
Nov. 30, 1762. 
Sept. 4, 1764. 
Oct. 21, 1766. 
Jan. 6, 1769. 
Mar. 23, 1771. 
Aug. 28, 1772. 
Mar. 27, 1774, 
[died Jan. 6, 1778. 



APPENDIX. 



483 



Ebenezer Woods and Eunice. 
Eunice, born June 23, 1756. 
Joseph, " Nov. a, 1758. 
John, " Oct. 28, 1761. 
Daniel " April 16, 1764. 
Lucy, " Nov. 9, 1766. 

David Wright and Prudence. 
David, born Mar. 28, 1763. 
Prudence, " Aug. 29, 1764. 
Cuminings, " Mar. 17, 1766. 
Mary, " Dec. 27, 1767, 

[died July 1, 1774. 

Dec. 8, 1769. 

Aus.2i, 1772. 



Wilkes, 
Carolina- 
Matilda, 
Liberty, 



July 19, 1774, 
[diedMar. 11, 1775. 

Devard, " Feb. 10, 1776. 

Liberty, " May 30, 1778. 

Artemas, " Aug. 4, 1780. 

Daniel, " April 26, 1783. 

JosiAH Wright * and Dolly 
Shattuok. 
Josiah, born Oct. 4, 1758. 



Hannah, 

Silas, 

Dolly, 

Orpah, 

Rebekah, 

Lydia, 

Pamela, 

Washington, 

John- , 

Sullivan, 

Phebe, ' 



born Oct. 29, 
" Mar. 8, 
" June 9, 
" May 27, 
" Aug. 4, 
" Mar. 15, 
April 19, 
Feb. 15, 



July 26, 
June 10, 



1760. 
1763. 
1765. 
1767. 
1769. 
1772. 
1774. 
1777. 

1779. 

1781. 



* Died Nov. 4, 1783. 

Jonas Wright and Anna Par- 
ker. 

(Married Feb. 12, 1770.) 
Anna, born Dec. 1, 1770. 
Jonas, " Oct. 26, 1772. 

Samuel Wright and Abigail 
Flagg. 
(Married Mar. 15, 1757.) 
Samuel, born Aug. 10, 1757. 
Edmund, " Aug. 9, 1760. 
Abigail, " Sept. 12, 1762. 
Elizabeth, « May 28, 1764. 
Winslow, " Oct. 3, 1766. 



MARRIAGES IN GROTON PRECINCT, OR WEST PARISH, AND 
IN PEPPERELL, IN CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER, TILL THE 
END OF REV. MR. EMERSON'S MINISTRY. 



1747, Mar. 


3. 


" April 


16. 


" May 


12. 


" May 


14. 


" May 


21. 


'« July 


16. 


" Aug. 


15. 


1748, Jan. 


5. 


« July 


21. 


" July 


21. 


" Nov. 


24. 


" Dec. 


22. 


1749, Mar. 


16. 


" Aug. 


10. 


1750, May 


10. 


" Aug. 


16. 


1751, Jan. 


3. 


" Jan. 


17. 


" Jan. 


24. 



Zachariah Shattuck, 

John Kendall, 

Silas Blood, 

Nathaniel Shattuck, 

Amos Taylor, of Dunstable, 

John Green, 

Stephen Foster, 

William Blood, 

Eleazor Gilson, Jr., 

Zachariah VVithee, 

Samuel Foster, of Boxford, 

James Parker, 

Abraham Parker, 

Jeremiah Shattuck, 

Abel Parker, 

Jolin Shattuck, 

John Green, [ble, 

Richarrl Adams, of Dunsta- 

Jacob Ames, 



Elizabeth Fisk. 

Hannah Whittemore.bolh of 

Alethea Martin. [Dunstable. 

Hannah Simonds. 

Bridget Martin. 

Keziah Shattuck. 

Sarah Blood. 

Lucy Fletcher. 

Mary Hall. 

Esther Kemp. 

Jane Boynton. 

Rebekah Bulkley. 

Lois Blood. 

Lydia Lakin. 

Esther Shattuck. 

Elizabeth Shattuck. 

Susanna Woods. 

Lydia Phillips. 

Sarah Parker. 



484 



PEPPERELL. 



V 



17.51, Feb. 


14. 


" July 


10. 


" July 


16. 


" Nov. 


8. 


17.52, Feb. 


20. 


" Mar. 


19. 


" June 


25. 


" Dec. 


12. 


1753, Feb. 


1. 


" Feb. 


8. 


" Feb. 


15. 


" Sept. 


13. 


1754, Dec. 


31. 


17.')5, Miir. 


1(). 


" July 


22. 


" Aug. 


2(T. 


" Sepl. 


10. 


" Oct. 


7. 


" Nov. 


19. 


" Dec. 


n. 


1756, Mar. 


2.'?. 


" April 


14. 


" May 


20. 


" June 


17. 


" Sepl. 


21. 


«' Oct. 


27. 


" Nov. 


11. 


1757,J.in. 


1. 


" Mar. 


15. 


" April 


5. 


" April 


13. 


*' April 


28. 


" May 


19. 


" July 


28. 


" Nov. 


23. 


1758, Jan. 


10. 


" Jan. 


19. 


" Jan. 


19. 


" Jan. 


24. 


«' April 


25. 


" May 


25. 


" Oct. 


30. 


" Dec. 


21. 


" Dec. 


27. 


17.5!), Jan. 


4. 


" Feb. 


7. 


" Feb. 


15 


" Mar. 


26. 


" April 


19. 


" .Miiy 


10. 


" June 


tlC>. 


" July 


12. 


" July 


12. 


" Aug. 


1.5. 


" Oct. 


11. 


" Oct. 


18. 


" Pec. 


12. 


17<;0,Feb. 


1. 


" Oct. 


28. 


" Nov. 


13. 



Amasa Turner, of Lancas- 
James Green, [ter, 

John Longley, 
Oliver Blood, 
Samtiel Gilson, 
William Elliott, 
Ebenezer Woods, 
Solomon Parker, 
Simon Blood, [send, 

George Campbell, of Town- 
John Wallis, Jr., of do. 
Simeon Green, 
Benjamin Jewelt, 
Ebenezer Pierce, 
Ldiimnd Parker, [send, 

Joseph Butterfield,of Town- 
Ephraiiri Hall, [send. 

Jonathan Wallis, of Town- 
John Swallow, 
James Shaltuck. Jr., 
Temple Kendall, 
Simon Gilson, 
David Shatluck, 
John Woods, 
James Lawrence, Jr., 
Kobert Blood, 

Jolm Nuttincr, [Reading, 
Ebenezer Hartshorn, of 
Samuel Wright, 
Oliver Farmer, of Billerica, 
Edmund Parker, 
Nathaniel Shaltuck, 
Isaac Williams, Jr., 
Rev. Josiah Goodhue, 
Daniel Shed, 
David Shattuck, 
Isaac Woods, 
Oliver Elliott, of No. I, 
Josiah Wright, of No. 1, 
John Chamberlin, 
Job Shattuck. 
FJeazer Gilson, 
James Hosley, of Townsend, 
Jonathan Jefts, 
Charles Witherel, [ghegan, 
Ebenezer Wesson, of Sou- 
Ezekiel Perham, [burg, 

Nehemiah ivaiie, of Lunen- 
Eleazer Whipple, 
Josiah Boydtm, of Groton, 
Samuel Kemp, 
Ebenezer Gilson, 
Zaccheus Shatluck. 
Thomas Heald, of Westford, 
Isaac Woods, 

Whitcoiiib Powars.of Hollis, 
Zaccheus Farnsworth, 
Nathaniel Parker, 
James (Sonant, (?) 
Saiiiael Perham, 



Eunice Saunderson. 
Elizabeth Sheple. 
Elizabeth Patterson. 
Sarah Darling. 
Elizabeth Shed. 
Elizabeth Williams. 
Eunice Boyden. 
Hepzibah Douglass. 
Anna Shattuck. 
Mary White, Jr. 
Mary White. 
Mary Shattuck. 
Sarah Flagg, of Hollis. 
Elizabeth Turner. 
Lydia Varnum. 
Susanna Adams. 
Hannah Spaulding. 
Mary Barlen, of Hollis. 
Sarah Lawrence, both of 
Phebe Tucker. [No. 1. 

Abigail Cummings, both of 
Sarah Fisk. [Dunstable. 
Sarah Burt. 

Jerusha Smith, both of Gro- 
Elizabelh Fisk. [ton. 

Mary Fisk. 

Martha Blood. [stable. 

Mary Whithemore, of Dun- 
Abigail Flagg, ot Hollis. 
Rachel Shed. 

Elizabeth Green, of Groton. 
Ruth Shaltuck. 
Elizabeth Tucker. 
Mrs. Ehzab. Fletcher, both of 
Hannah Lakin. [Dunstable. 
Esther Woods. 
Anna Hazelton, of Harvard. 
Mary Fisk. 
Dolly Shattuck. 
Mary Patch, of Groton. 
Sarah Hartwell, both of 
Sybil Lakin. [Groton. 

iSarah Shed. 

Lydia Lawrence, both of 
Sarah Tarbell. [No. 1. 

Ruth Davis, of HolUs. 
Eunice Turner. 
Sarah Shaltuck. 
Abigail Chambeilin. 
Saiah Nutting. [ton. 

Lydia Phillips, both of Gro- 
Hannah Darby, of Groton. 
Azuha Chiimlierlin. 
Elizabeth Boynton. 
Mary Woods. 
fLJiz.ibeth Lawrence. 
Abigail Whitney. 
Ruih Shattuck. [Townsend. 
Betty Campbell, both of 
Mary Hulson. 



APPENDIX. 



485 



1760, Nov. 27. 

" Dec. 11. 
17Gl,Jan. 15. 

" Feb. 11. 

« Feb. V2. 

" Mar. ly. 

" June 25. 

" Oct. 1. 

" Oct. 19. 

" Oct. 27. 
1762, Jan. 7. 

'« Mar. 16. 

" Aug. 5. 

" Aug. 5. 

" Aug. 12. 

" Nov. 2. 

" Dec. 8. 

« Dec. 30. 

1763, Mar. 10. 
" April 27. 
« Oct. 26. 

1764, Feb. 9. 
" Aug. 2. 
«' Oct. 11. 
" Dec. 20. 

1765, Mar. 14. 
" Mar. 14. 

1766, Mar. 12. 
" April 3. 
" April 17. 
<« April 22. 
" July 23. 
" Sept. 2. 
" Sept. 9. 
" Nov. 4. 

1767, Jan. 22. 

" Jan. 22. 

" Feb. 3. 

" Sept. 24. 

" Nov. 26. 

«' Nov. 26. 

" Dec. 31. 
1768, Jan. 21. 

" Mar. 3. 

" Mar. 17. 

" Aug. 23. 

" Nov. 23. 

« Dec. 1. 
1769, June 13. 

" Au<r. 24. 

" Nov. 9. 

" Nov. 16. 
1770, Jan. 16. 

" Feb. 12. 

" Feb. 15. 

» May 24. 

" June 7. 

" June 7. 

" Oct. 1. 

'< Nov. 22. 



Isaac Baldwin, of Grolon, 

Ebenezer Lakin, 

Isaac Sliattuck, 

Oliver Lampson, of Acton, 

William Warren, 

Samuel Shaltuck, [burg, 

Jonathan Stevens, of Lunen- 

Richard Warner, 

John Simonds, of Shirley, 

Samuel Bartlett, 

Timothy Shaltuck, 

Nehemiah Jevvett, 

Patrick White, 

John White, 

Benjamin Whitney, 

David Blood, Jr., 

Samuel Green, 

Thomas Shattuck, 

Joseph Saiinderson, 

Solomon Shattuck, 

Jeremiah Elliott, 

Nehemiah Shaltuck, 

Phinehas Douglass, 

Jonathan Sheple, 

John Shed, 

Lemuel Sheple, 

Isaac Corey, of Groton, 

John Laughlon, 

Thomas Spalding, 

Joseph Warner, 

Daniel Fisk, 

David Jewelt, 

Stephen Pierce, 

James Green, Jr., 

Benjamin Nutting, 

Simeon Nutting, 

Eleazer Parker, of Groton, 

James Hall, No. 1, 

Josiah Nutting, 

Jeremiah Shattuck, Jr., 

Joshua Blood, 

Simeon Shattuck, 

Lemuel Lawrence, 

Ephraim Lawrence, 

Thomas Fisk, 

Elijah Ames, 

David Jewett, 

Ebenezer Laughton, 

Isaac Boynton, 

Ebenezer Gilson, Jr., 

Richard Williams, 

Thomas Webber, 

Joseph Shaltuck, 

Jonas Wright, 

Joseph Leslie, of Hollis, 

Josiah Blood, of do. 

James Mosher, 

Edmund Shattuck, 

John Mosher, 

Henry Spaulding, 



[send. 
Town- 



[ley- 



Elizabeth Shattuck. [ton. 
Eunice Lakin, both of Gro- 
Hannah Hull. 
Jane Adams. 
Sarah Stevens, of 
Sarah Pierce. 
Elizabeth Parker. 
Jane Hutson. 
Susanna Butterfield. 
Anna Longley, both of Shir- 
Hannah Nutting. 
Sarah Green. 
Sarah Shattuck. 
Sybil Shaltuck. 
Mary Turner. 
Olive Taylor. 
Mary Weiherbee. 
Rebecca Farmer. 
Anna Williams. 
Hepzibah Perkins. 
Rachel Pierce. 
Betty Hosley. 
Abigail Barron. 
Abigail Blood. 
Esther Wright, of Hollis. 
Sarah Colburn. 
Lydia Jewett. 
Jane Lampson. 
Lydia Sheple. 
Bridget Hosley. -- "^ 
Elizabeth Varnum. 
Sybil Gilson. 
Lydia Whitney. 
Priscilla Hartwell. 
Sarah Vnrnuin. 
Dorothy Kemp, of Groton. 
Abigail Lawrence. 
Sarah Roe. 
Zeruiah Lawrence. 
Kezia Shattuck. 
Kezia Jewett. 
Lydia Jewett. 
Sarah Williams. 
Anna Fi*k. 
Sarah Sheple. 
Sarah Blood. 
Abigail Walker. 
Abigail Blood. 
Hannah Shattuck. 
Elizabeth Lawrence. 
Sarah Gilson. 
Lydia Chamberlin. 
Mary Lampson. 
Anna Parker. 
Mary Gilson. 
Abigail Pierce. 
Eunice Blood. 
Abigail Chamberlin. — ___ 
Hannah Warren. 
Rachel Conant. 



486 



PEPPERELL. 



1770, Nov. 


28. 


1771, Mar. 


5. 


" April 


9. 


" May 


14. 


" Nov. 


7. 


1772, Jan. 


21. 


" Jan. 


22. 


" May 


12. 


" June 


25. 


" July 


2. 


" July 


15.' 


" Aug. 


13. 


«' Nov. 


5. 


" Nov. 


5. 


'• Dec. 


3. 


" Dec. 


30. 


1773, Feb. 


4. 


" Oct. 


5. 


" Nov. 


23. 


" Nov. 


25. 


" Nov. 


30. 


1774, Feb. 


1. 


" Feb. 


7. 


•' Mar. 


10. 


" Mar. 


22. 


" Mar. 


22. 


" May 


5. 


" Sept. 


1. 


1775, Jan. 


2G. 


" May 


4. 


" Aug. 


31. 


" Sept. 


5. 


" Sept. 


5. 


" Sept. 


26. 


" Oct. 


5. 



William Dana, of Cam- 

Pompey Philiis, [bridge, 

Joseph Lawrence, 

Isaac Boynlon, 

Daniel Havvkes, of Lynn, 

Abijali Parker, 

Daniel Hobart, 

William Graham, 

William Colburn, of Hollis, 

David Tarbell, [boio', 

Samuel Styles, of Lynde- 

Benjaniin Simpson, 

James Lakin, 

Fifield Holt, of Wilton, 

Gilbert Dix-^on, 

Joseph Peters, of Henniker, 

David Shed, 

Josiah Coriant, 

John Adams, 

Reuben Shattuck, 

Abel Wright, 

Jeremiah Lawrence, ^ 

Joseph Tenney, 

Phillip Adams, 

Caleb Jewett, 

Timothy Hosley, 

Oliver Newhall, [burg, 

Amos Kimball, of Lunen- 

Elias Elliott, of Mason, 

Abel Kemp, 

Samuel Fisk, 

John Pierce, 

Thaddeus Bancroft, 

John Fisk, 

Ezra Pierce, 



Mary Bancroft. 

Margaret Quacoo. 

Lydia Shattuck. 

Sarah Shattuck. 

Rhoda Perhatn. 

Sar.ih Lawrence. [ton. 

Kezia Weston, of Wilniing- 

Mary Mosher. [ton. 

Anna Farnsworth, of Gro- 

Eslher Kemp, of Groton. 

Susanna Lakin, of Groton. 

Experience Shattuck, of 

Elizabeth Shattuck. [Hollis. 

Anna Lakin. 

Martha Varnum. 

Mary Williams. 

Lucy Blood, of Groton. 

Lydia Prescott, of Westford. 

Rhoda Lakin. 

Lydia Parker. 

Alice Shattuck. 

Anna Woods, of Groton. 

Elizabeth Parker. 

Phebe Shattuck. 

Mary Green. 

Lydia Shattuck. -»—» 

Abigail Phillips. 

Sybil Stevens. 

Saiah Pierce. 

Lucy Pratt, both of Groton. 

Eunice Gilson. [ton. 

Tabilha Porter, both of Gro- 

Bulah Foster, both of do. 

Anna Blood, both of do. 

Rebecca Lawrence, of do. 



CLERKS OF THE WEST PARISH OR PRECINCT OF GROTON. 

Eleazer Gilson, from Jan. 19, 1742-3 to March 15, 1742-3. 
Samuel Wright, Jr., from March, 1742-3 to 1752. 
Josiah Fisk, from March, 1752 to 1753. 



CLERKS OF PEPPERELL DISTRICT AND TOWN. 



Josiah Fisk, from 1753 to 1768, 

and from 1770 to 1773. 
William Prescott, 1768, 1769, 

1773 and 1788. 
Nehemiah Hobart, from 1774 to 

1777, and 1779. 
William Green, 1777. 
Henry Woods, 1780 and 1790. 
Joseph Heald, from 1781 to 1806, 

except 1788 and 1790. 
Nehemiah Jewett, Jr., from 1806 

to 1816. 
Dr. John Walton, from 1817 to 

1823. 



Hon. Abel Jewett, 1824, 1825, 

18.32 and 1833. 
William Buttrick, 1826 and 1827. 
Hon. James Lewis, 1828, 1829, 

and 1830. 
Samuel Farrar, 1831. 
Arnold Hutchinson, 1834 and 1835, 

1841 and 1842, 
George W. Tarbell, from 1836 to 

1841. 
Samuel Tucker, 1843 and 1844. 
<rJohn Loring, from 1845 to 



APPENDIX. 



487 



REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT FROM THE 
DISTRICT AND TOWN OF PEPPERELL. 



Capt. Edmund Bancroft, 1776. 
Col. Henry Woods, 1777 and 1780. 
Capt. John Nuttino;, 1781. 
Col. William Prescott, 1782, 1783, 

and 1785. 
Joseph Heald, from 1787 to 1808, 

except 1795, 1796, and 1802. 
William Hutchinson, 1809 and 

1810. 
Nehemiah Jewett, Jr., from 1811 

to 1819, except 1817 and 1818. 
Hon. Abel Jewett, 1820, 1821, 

1823, and 1831. 



Francis Blood, 1824 and 1825. 
Col. William Buttrick, 1827, 1829, 

1832, and 1834. 
Hon. James Lewis, 1827, 1830, 

and 1832. 
Arnold Hutchinson, 1830, 1832, 

1838, 1839, 1841, and 1843. 
David Blood, 1836 and 1837. 
Joseph G. Heald, 1836. 
John P. Tarbell, 1840 and 1842. 
Luther Lawrence, 1844 and 1845. 



SENATORS FROM PEPPERELL. 

Hon. Abel Jewett, from 1825 to 1828. 
Hon. James Lewis, from 1628 to 1830. 
Hon. John P. Tarbell, 1841. 
Hon. Asa F. Lawrence, from 1841 to 1844. 



DELEGATES TO THE PROVINCIAL CONGRESS, 

Col. William Prescott, at Salem. 

Capt. Edmund Bancroft, at Cambridge and Watertown. 



DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION TO FORM THE STATE 
CONSTITUTION. 



Col. Henry Woods. 



DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION TO ADOPT THE FEDERAL 
CONSTITUTION. 

Daniel Fisk. 



DELEGATES TO THE CONVENTION TO AMEND THE STATE 
CONSTITUTION, IN 1821. 

Dr. John Walton, 
Hon. Abel Jewett. 



488 



SHIRLEY. 



POPULATIOiN OF PEPPERELL, 

AT THE SEVERAL TIMES WHEN: THE CENSUS WAS TAKEN. 



In 1790, 

1800, 
1810, 



1,132 inhabitants. 

1,198 

1,333 « 



In 1820, 
1830, 
1840, 



1,439 inhabitants. 
1,444 » 
1,571 « 



SHIRLEY 



FAMILY LISTS OF BIRTHS AND DEATHS. 



Amos Atherton and Lydia. 

Lydia, born Jan. 22, 1759. 
Amos, " Oct. 31,1760. 
Betty, " OcL27, 17G2. 
Jonathan, " Jan. 17, 17G5. 
Mary, " July 20, 17(J8. 
David, " Oct. 6, 17G9. 
Eunice, " Jan. 10, 17—. 

Sarah, " Feb 23, . 

Samuel, " Oct. 18, 1774, 

[died 1774. 

Samuel Barrett and Rebecca. 
Jeremiah, born Sept. 7, 1747. 
Rebecca, " Sept. 14, 1749. 
Samuel, " Feb. 28, 1752. 
Lois, " July 4, 1755. 

Jonathan, " Nov. 13, 1757. 

William Bartlett and Silence. 
Mary, born May 28, 1741, at 

Cambridge. 
Eleazer, « Nov. 29, 1742, do. 
Silence, " Feb. 6, 1744, do. 
Lucy, « Sept. 22, 1746, do. 
Joanna, " Feb. 17, 1747, do. 
William, " Feb. 13, 1751, 
Patience, " Oct. 13, 1760. 

Nicholas Bartlett and Abi- 
gail. 

Sarah, born Nov. 3, 1753. 



Samuel Bartlett and Anne. 
Samuel, born May 22, 1762. 
Anne, " Feb. 5, 1764. 

Eleazer Bartlett and Eliza- 
beth. 
Isaac, born June 11, 1768. 
Eleazer, " Oct. 19, 1770. 
John, " Nov. 28, 1781. 

David Bennett* and Eliza- 
beth. 
David, born Nov. 17, 1754. 
Elizabeth, " Oct. 5, 1756. 
Molly, « Nov. 23, 1759. 
* Died Dec. 8, 1761. 

Moses Bennett and Sarah. 
James, born Mar. 16, 1754. 
Sybil, " Sept. 17, 1755. 

Jonathan Bennett and Mart. 
Olive, born Sept. 1 , 1757. 
Jonathan, " April 24, 1760. 
James, " Sept. 25, 1764. 

Aaron Bennett and Katharine. 
Edmund, born April 5, 1771. 
Hezekiah, " Oct. 28, 1772. 
Lucinda, » Oct. 29, 1774. 
Obadiah, " Jan. 14, 1777. 



APPENDIX. 



489 



William Bolton and Abigail. 
William, born Oct. 14, 1771. 
John, " Oct. 24, 177.3. 

Thomas, " Aug. 27, 1775. 
Nelly, " Aug. 12, 1777. 

Phinehas Burt and Sarah. 
Levi, born April 23, 1757. 

William Burt, son of Abigail Big- 
elow, born Oct. 23, 1770. 

John Butterfield and Martha. 

Benjamin, born Mar. 29, 1751, at 

Westford. 

John, " July 28, 17.^3, do. 

Abel,* " Feb. 5, 175(3, at 

Narraganset, No. G. 

Henry, " Mar. 14, 1759, at 

Groton. 

Kezia, " Aug. 28, 1761, at 

Harvard. 

Martha, " April 14, 1764. 

* Sept 9, 1763, had his arm torn off" in 
a cider-mill. 

Joshua Chase and Susanna. 
Jacob, born June 30, 1771. 

John Davis and Hulda. 
Hulda, born Nov. 3, 1763. 
Samuel, " Mar. 13, 1765. 

Silas Davis and Ruth. 

Silas, born May 3, 1767. 
Eliakim, " Sept. 19, 1769. 
Daniel, " May 3, 1772, 

[died July 27, 1777. 
Elisha, " Mar. 22, 1774, 

[died July 23, 1777. 
Ruth, " April 16, 1778. 

James Dickenson and Priscilla. 
Susa, born Sept. 6, 1774. 

Joseph Dodge and Molly. 
Molly, born Sept. 4, 1769. 

Joseph, " Aug. 21, 1770. 

Hannah, " Feb. 18, 1772. 

Thomas, " Aug. 14, 1773. 

Moses-Ritter, " May 25, 1775. 
John, " May 8, 1777. 

62 



Sewall Dodge and Martha. 
Barzillai, born Feb. 28, 1774. 

Amos Dole * and Molly. 
Lemuel, born April 4, 1756, at 

Littleton. 

Benjamin," Nov. 13, 1757, at do. 

[killed at Bunker Hill, 

June 17, 1775. 

Amos, born Sept. 19, 1759, at 

Littleton. 
Mary, " Oct. 15, 17(12, 

[died Aug. 3, 1781. 
Rachel, " Feb. 12, 1764. 
Enoch, " June 7, I7i>6. 
Lucy, " June 4, 17()8. 

Sarah, " May 23, I7(i9. 
John, " Dec. 21, 1772. 

Benjamin, " Nov. 10, 177.5. 
* Died Feb 11, 1781, a-t 18 years. 

John Dwight and Susanna. 
Susanna, born Dec. 2, 1771. 
John, " Dec. 22, 1773. 

Sally, " Feb. 18, 1776. 

Betty, " Mar. 1, 1778. 

Francis, " June 17, 1780. 
Priscilla, " May 30, 1782. 

John Egarton and Abigail Par- 
ker. 
(Married. 1772.) 
Leonard, born Sept. 23, 1773. 
John, " April 1, 1775. 

Joseph, " Nov. 8, 1777. 
William, " Dec. 27, 1780. 
Abigail, " July 1.5, 1784. 
Sally, " Jan. 2, 1788. 

Sylvia, " Feb. 28, 1794. 

William Farwell and Sarah. 
Sybil, born Jan. 1, 1757. 
William, " Sept. 23, 1761. 

Oliver Fletcher and Sarah. 

Oliver, born Nov. 28, 1768. 
Sarah, " April 27, 1770. 
Joanna, " June 12, 1772. 
Olive, « Feb. 28, 1775. 
Lucy, " July 2, 1776. 



490 



SHIRLEY. 



Betsey, born Feb. 5, 1 779. 
Milly,' " May 12, 1784. 

Samdel Flood and Tryphkna.* 
Philip, born Oct. 14, 1753. 
Daniel, " Jan. — , 1756. 
William, « Aug. 2, 1758. 
* Died Aug. 3, 17j8. 

Abijah Frost and Sarah. 
Scripture, born Nov. 4, 1758. 
Tryphena, " Mar. 2(i, 17(11. 
Sarah, " June 10, 17G5. 

Mary, « Feb. 10, 170!7. 

Hannah, " Mar. 14, 1770. 
Elizabeth, " April 13, 1773. 

John Gorden and Mart Camp- 
bell. 
(Married Oct. 28, 17G2.) 
Joseph, born May 17, 1763. 
Elizabeth," Mar. 16, 1765. 
Daniel, " Feb. 14, 1768. 

Samuel Gorden and Eleanor. 
Samuel, born May 27, 1765. 
Sarah, " Feb. 10, 1767. 
Elizabeth, " Jan. 23, 1769, 

Jonathan Gould died Oct. 7, 

17.58. 
Lydia, his wife,died Sept. 28, 1758. 

Samuel Gould and Elizabeth, 
Betty, born Jan. 29, 1769. 
Lydia, » Sept. 24, 1770. 
Sarah, " Oct. 23, 1772, 

[died same day. 
Molly, « Feb. 28, 1776. 
Phinehas,*' Oct. 25, 1778, at 

Lunenburg-. 
Hannah, " Mar. 11, 1781, at do. 

Moses Gould, Jr., and Submit. 
Jeremiah, born Jan. 27, 1760. 
Moses, " Sept. 1, 1761. 

Ebenezer Gowen* and Abi- 
gail. 

Joseph, born Nov. 25, 1757, 

[died Sept. 2, 1776. 



Ebenezer, born Mar. 10, 1761, 

[died Oct. 10,1761. 

Ebenezer, " Sept. 29, 1762. 

Ezekiel, " Mar. 2, 1761. 

William, " Jan. 4, 17(i7. 

Nabby, " April 26, 1769. 

Thomas, « April 11, 1772, 

[died Au?. 20, 1773. 

Elizabeth, " April .5, 1773, 

[died Oct. 11, 1775, 
" Oct. 9, 177.5. 



Asa, 
Thomas,f 
Joseph, 
Molly, 



April '.8, 1778. 
Oct. 8, 1780. 



* (lowiiio;, or Going, 
t Died Nov. 9, 1778. 



Daniel Harper and Rachel. 

Rachel, born April 1, 1761, at 
Ashburnham. 

James- ,, ^^^^^ 10, 1762, do. 

Colman, 

Daniel, " Mar. 10, 1766. 

Mary, " Feb. 27, 1770, at 

Littleton. 

Aaron, " Jan. 29, 1772, do. 

Ezekiel, " Feb. 8, 1778. 



Thaddeus Harrington and 
Thankful. 

Ammi, 

Abigail, 

Ruhamah,' " Sept. 5, 1762. 

Vashti, " Jan. 28, 1767. 



born Sept. 10, 1760. 



Francis Harris and Susanna. 

Sarah, born Nov. 20, 1747, 

[died Oct. 4, 1756. 
Francis, " May 20, 1752, 

[died Oct. 11, 17.56. 
Asa, " Oct. 27, 1754, at 

Lunenburg. 
Sarah, « May 2, 1757. 
Abigail, " Aug. 9, 1759. 
Hannah, " Mar. 14, 1762. 
Francis, " June 21, 1764. 

John Harris and Bulah. 
Emma, born July 22, 1757. 



APPENDIX. 



491 



Am ASA Hartwell and Lydia. 

Lydia, born Jan. 28, 1774. 

Abel, " Feb. 9, I77li. 

Anna, or ,, r, i. i.^ i- — o 
„ ' " Feb. lb, 1//8. 

Lucy, " April .5, 1780. 
Ainasa, " Mar. 26, 1782. 

Henry ?Iaskell and Rebecca,* 
Martha Little. f 
(Married Martha, Deo 21, 1772 ) 
Prudence, born April 1, 1772. 
Martha, " Mar. 20, 1774, of 
Martha. 
Jane, " Feb. 4, 177(i. 

Henry, " Nov. 20, 1777, 

[died May 24, 1778. 

* Died April 8, 1772. 
t Died Sept. "ZS, 1773. 

Edward Hazen and Sarah. 
Benjamin, born Oct. 21, 17.58.') m 
Sarah, " Jan. 21, 1760, | J 

[died Mar. l.l, 1760. } i 
Edward, born Jan. 21, 1761. j x 
Paul- Willard, " P^eb.2I, 1763. j < 
Silas, " Jan. 13, 1765. 

William, " Feb. 7, 1767. 

Samuel Hazen, Jr. and Eliza- 
beth. 



Sarah, 



born Oct. 25, 1765. 



Jane, " Oct. 10, 1767. 

Elizabeth, " April 8, 1770. 

Samuel, " Sept. 16, 1772. 

Thomas, " Mar. 11, 1775. 

Pe<Tgy-Little, " Feb. 23, 1779. 

Lucy, » Feb. 23, 1783. 

Thomas Henderson and Bath- 

SHEBA. 

John, born Nov. 5, 1751. 
Betty, " Oct. 6, 17.5.3. 

Robert Henry and Eleanor. 
Silas, born Jan. 28, 1754, 

[died Feb. 23, 1754. 
Silas, « Feb. 3, 1755. 
Anna, " Mar. 4, 1758. 

Stephen Holden and Sarah. 
Anne, born April 15, 1761. 



Caleb Holden and Abigail. 
Abiorail, born Mar. 20, 17—. 
Sarah, " Jan. 11, 175-. 

John, " Nov. — , . 

Caleb, " Jan. 19, 1755. 

Amos Holden and Prudence,* 

Sarah. 
Amos, born Sept. 21, 1752. 
Nathaniel, " Jan. 12, 17.55, 

[died Mar. 10, 1755. 
Prudence, " Mar. 9, 1756. 
Abel, " Sept. 26, 17.58. 

Lydia, " April 18, 1761. 
John, " May 21, 1765, of 

Sarah. 
Sarah, " Sept. 10, 1767. 
Eunice, " Aug. 12, 1770. 
Elizabeth, " Aug. 23, 1772. 
Moses, « June 9, 1776. 
Thomas, " April 30, 1778. 
Joel, " Mar. 13, 1780. 

Sewall, «' Feb. 19, 1782. 
Hannah, " Mar. 14, 1784. 
Emma, " Mar. 23, 1786. 
Moody, « Nov. 5, 1789. 
* Died Nov. 21, 1762. 

Philemon Holden and Lucy. 
Lucy, born Mar. 27, 17.53. 
Ede, " June 10, 175.5. 

Philemon, " Apiil 1, 1757, 

[died Feb. 4, 1761. 
Daniel, " Jan. 2, 1760. 
Philemon," May 24,1762. 
Phinehas, " April 6, 1764. 
Silvanus, " Mar. 17, 1766. 
Phebe, " Aug. 16, 1768. 
A daughter, July 23, 1770, 

[died Jan. 1, 1771. 
Eleanor, " May 10, 1773. 

Nehemiah Holden and Eliza- 
beth. 

Elizabeth-Mary-Stevens,born Dec. 
1, 1758, at Louisburg. 
Richard-Stevens, b. Apr. 14, 1761. 
Nehemiah, " July 16, 1763. 

Oliver, " Sept.l8, 1765. 

Meriam-Whilney," Jan. 20, 1768. 
Daniel, *• Oct. 28, 1771. 



493 



SHIRLEY. 



Simon Holden and Sarah. 
Hannah, born .Tnn. 20, 1755, 
Simon, " May 22, 1757. 
Susannah, " July 8, 1759. 
Abraham, " June 25, 1761. 
Hezekiah, " May 5, 1764. 
Meriam, " July 23, 1766. 
Sarah, " Nov. 3, 17(59. 
James, " Feb, 19, 1772. 
Jemima, " May 8, 1774. 

Asa Holder and Dorothy. 
Asa, born April 5, 1758. 

Phinehas, " July 14, 17(i0, 
Nathaniel, " July 9, 17()2. 
Edmund, " Nov, 9, 1765. 
Levi, " Dec. 25, 1767. 

Joseph, " Dec. 5, 1769. 

Lydia, " Feb. 8, 1772. 

Jonas, " June 18, 1774. 

Dolly, " Aug. 28, 1776. 

Stephen Holden^ Jr. and Mar- 
tha. 
Martha, born Mar. 13, 1771. 
Stephen, " June 6, 1773, 

[died Jan. 28, 1776. 
Susannah, " Mar. 26, 1775. 
Stephen, " April 7, 1777. 
John, " June lit, 1779. 

Sarah, " June 17, 1781. 

Thomas, " Mar. 25, 1783, 

[died April 17, 1783. 
Lucy, " July 7, 1784. 

Elizabeth, " July 17, 1786. 
Emma, " Sept. 6, 17b9. 

John Ivory and Sarah. 
Theophilus, born Nov. 7, 17.59, at 
VVatertown ; died Sept. 26, 177(5, 
in the army, at New York. 
Martha, born Aug, 15, 1766. 
Thomas, " Aug. 10, 1769, 

[died Mar. 1, 1772. 

John Jupp and Mary. 
John, born Sept. 26, 1775. 

John Kelsey, Jr. and Moi.ly. 
John, born Oct. 16, 1770, at 

Harvard. 
Sarah, " Ftb. 17, 1772. 



Daniel, born Feb. 15, 1774. 



Molly, 
Lydia, ) 
Lucy, ^ 
Lucinda, 
Joseph, 
Europe, 
Betsey, 
Joel, 



April 14, 1776. 

Mar. 5, 1778. 

Aug. 21, 1780. 
July 24, 1782. 
Jan. 3, 1785. 
Oct. 27, 1787. 
Nov. 16, 1789. 



Nathan Kjngman and Lanata. 
Nabby, born Nov. 4, 1774. 

Joseph Kneeland and Abigail. 
Hannah, born May 14, 1764, at 

Cambridge. 
Mary, " Nov. 30, 1768. 

Anna, " July 30, 1771. 

Benjamin Larrabee and Mar- 
garet. 
Hannah, born Aug. 15, 1753. 
Benjamin, " Nov. 26, 1754. 
Elizabeth, « Oct. 8, 1757. 
Sarah, " Dec. 27, 1759, at 

Lunenburg. 
Rebecca, " Oct. — , 1760. 

Samuel Larrabee and Anna. 
William, born July 7, 17,55. 
Ebenezer, " Oct. 10, 1759. 

Thomas Little and Susanna. 
William, born Oct. 20,1753, at 
Peterboro'. 
Esther, " Jan. 30, 1755, at 
Lunenburg. 
Elizabeth, " Nov. 19, 17.56. 
Susanna, " April 21, 17.59. 
Joseph, » Jan. 22, 1760. 

Thomas, " May 11, 1763. 

Oliver Livermore and Catha- 
rine. 
Catharine, born Aug. 13, 1759, at 
Watertown. 
Oliver, " Sept. 18, 1761, do. 

Daniel, » Jan. 18, 1764, do. 

Nathaniel, " Jan. 24, 1766. 
Jonas, " Feb. 27, 1768. 

William. » June 23, 1770. 



APPENDIX. 



493 



John, born Sept. 22, 1772. 

Lucy, " Mar. 24, 1776, 

David, " Dec. 19, 1778. 

Jonathan, " Jan. 10, 1781. 

John Longlet* and Elizabeth. 
Mary, born July 5, 1752. 



John, 


a 


Nov. 4, 1753. 


Susanna, 


(( 


Nov. 5, 175.5. 


John, 
Joseph, 


(( 
(( 


May 26, 1758. 
Dec. 27, 1760. 


Calvin, 


u 


Aug. 21, 1763, 


Lucy, 
Edmund, 




[died Aug. 21, 1763 
April 2, 1766. 
Mar. 6, 1768. 



* Died Mar. 17, 1792. 

William Longlet* and MART.f 

Had eight children. Vid. in Groton. 
James, born Nov. 4, 1753. 
Abigail, " Dec. 1, 175.5. 

* Died May 15, 1788. 
\ Died Aug. 7, 1738. 

Jonas Longlet and Esther.* 
Jonas, born Jan. 13, 1753. 



Esther, ' 


' May 7, 


1756. 


Sarah, ' 


' July 12, 


1758. 


Abel, 


' June 23, 


1760 


Asa, ' 


' July 10, 


1762 


Phinehas, ' 


' Aug. 27, 


1764 


Meriam, ' 


' April 24, 


1767 



» Died June 5, 1767, aet. 36. 

Joseph Longlet and Mart. 
Had four children in Groton, q. v. 
Eunice, born May 27, 1753. 
Olive, " July 26, 1755, 

[died Jan. 8, 1757. 
Olive, " Oct. 28, 1757. 

Nehemiah Longlet and Meriam. 
Obadiah, born Feb. 3, 1773. 
Meriam, " Aug. 9, 1774. 

Joseph Longlet and Elizabeth. 
Elizabeth, born Feb. 12, 1766, and 
died same day. 
John, " June 2, 1768. 

Joseph, « May 9, 1770. 
Zimri, " Jan. 8, 1772. 

Mary, " Mar. 2, 1773, 



Edmund Longlet and Alice 
Lawrence. 
(.Married, 1773) 
Thomas, born Sept. 4, 1774. 
Olive, " Oct. 18, 1776, 

[died July 22, 1778. 
Edmund, " April 11, 1779. 
Olive, " June 28, 1781. 



Joshua 


Longlet and Bridget. 


Lovina, b 


orn 


May 9, 1771, 
[died Aug. 11, 177L 


Ame, 


u 


Sept. 17, 1773, 
[died Aug. 9, 1777 


Anna, 


(( 


Aug. 20, 1776. 


Stephen, 


(( 


Feb. 25, 1779. 


Lovina, 


u 


Aug. 15, 1781. 


Lucinda, 


(( 


Mar. 30, 1785. 


Rufus, 


(( 


Sept. 2, 1788. 


Lydia, 


(i 


May 20, 1792, 
[died Jan. 5, 1795 



John McFarland and Ltdia. 
Deborah, born Jan 30, 1758. 
Lydia, " June 16, 1759. 

Mary, » Oct. 13, 1760. 

Jonathan Moors* and STBiL,f 
Susanna. 
Jonathan, born April 21, 1756. 
Joseph, " April 16, 1758. 
Sybil, " June 26, 1760. 

Phinehas, " Aug. 9, 1764, of 
Susanna ; died Aug. 12, 1764. 
Abel, born Jan. 27, 1766. 

* Died July 18, 1765. 
t Died June 18, 1763. 

John Moors and Hannah. 
John, born June 15, 1771. 
Hannah, " July 26, 1773. 
Hezekiah, " Dec. 3, 1775. 
Levi, " Feb. 17, 1781. 

Sybil, » Sept. 5, 1783. 
Timothy, " July 7, 1785. 
Lydia, " June 25, 1787. 

Daniel Page and Ruth. 
Ruth, born Aug. 25, 1746. 
Hulda, " Jan. 31, 1748. 
Martha, " Dec. 15, 1750. 
Daniel, " Jan. 26, 1753. 



404 



SHIRLEY. 



Simon Page and Hannah. 

Had eigiu children in Groton, q. v. 
Eunice, born July 24, 17();{, 

[died April :30, 17G7. 
Betsey, " April 27, ]7()5, 

[died .Tune 10,1770. 
Oliver, " April 17, 1767. 

John Page and Esther. 
Molly, born Jan. 1.5, 17()8. 
Esther, " Oct. 1(1, 17(i!). 
Thomas, " Nov. 21, 1771. 
Prudence, " Jan. 12, 1774. 

Phinehas Page and Hannah. 
Theophilus, born Dec. 12, 17(59. 
Phinehas, " Nov. 5, 1771, 

[died May 22, 1772. 
Phinehas, born Mar. IG, 1773. 
Levi, " Aug. 18, 1775. 

Edamnd, " Miir. 3, 1778. 

Ede, " July ID, 1780. 

Eli, " Sept. 19, 178.3. 

Walter, " Nov. 1.5, 178.5. 

Augustus-Dole, Mar. 12, 1799, 
at Groton. 

Simon Page, Jr. and Elizabeth. 
Eunice, born Aug. 17, 17()7. 
Sybil, " Sept. 5, J7G9, 

[died Jan. 18, 1784. 
Elizabeth, " Oct. 12, 1771. 
Susey, " Jan. 8, 1774. 

Lydia, " Dec. 27, 1776. 

Hannah, " Feb. 28, 1778. 
Simon, " Oct. 30, 1779. 
Joel, " July 22, 1785. 

James Parker and Sarah. 
Sarah, born July 8, 1768; married 
Benj. Egarton and Moses Jones. 
James, born Eeb. 4, 1771 ; married 
Ruth Ihirkness. 
Lovey, " Jan. 7, 1773; married 
Sanmel Hazen. 
Henrietta, born July 3, 1775; mar- 
ried Thomas Whitney, Esq. 
Rhoda, born Oct. 26, 1777 ; mar- 
ried Stephen Lonsrley, Esq. 
Abigail, born Dec. 17, 1779. 
Daniel, " Jan. 19, 1782; mar- 
ried Ann Collins. 



David, born May 19, 1784; mar- 
ried Priscilla D wight. 
Lydia-Bowcs, boru Dec. 20, 1786; 
married Moses Tread well. 
Leonard-Moody, born Jan. !>, 1789 ; 
married Martha Lincoln. 

Jonas Parker and Elizabeth. 
Jonas, born Oct. 9, 1774. 

Thomas-Little, " Feb. 22, 1776. 
Betty, " Nov. 29, 1777. 

William, " Dec. 11, 1779. 

Rebecca, " Nov. 12, 1781. 

Phinehas, " Feb. 2, 1784. 

Lydia, " Nov. 8, 178.5. 

Joseph, " Nov. 17, 1787. 

Abel Parker and Sarah. 
Abigail, born May 5, 1753. 
Sewall, " Mar. 15, 175.5. 
Abigail, " Mar. 29, 1772. 
Sewall, " Mar. 15, 1775. 

Peter Parker and Mary. 
Prudence, born Aug. 12, 1774. 

James Patterson* and Eliza- 
beth. 
James, born May 8, 1754. 
Jane, " June 23, ]7.5(>. 
Thomas, " Mar. 25, 1759. 
* Died iMay 4, 1759. 

John Patterson and Jane. 
Lemuel, born Jan. 8, 1759. 
Sarah, " Mar. 19, 17(il, 

[died Mar. 21, 1764. 
John, " Dec. 8, 1762. 

Samuel, " Oct. 3, 1764. 
Sarah, " Feb. 3, 17(i7. 
James, " July 26, 1769. 

Hezekiah Patterson and 
Mary. 
Jonathan, born May 9, 1763, 

[died Sept. 16, 1765. 
Hezekiah, " Aug. 2(i, 17(55. 
Joanna, " Feb. 2(5, 17(i8. 
Mary, " Sept. 7, 1770. 



APPENDIX. 



495 



Feb. 


18, 


1772. 


Jan. 


27,^ 


1774, at 
rownsend. 


Feb. 


22, 


177(). 


April 


22 


1778. 


April 


1), 


1780. 


April 21, 


1782. 


Jan. 


31, 


1784. 


Nov. 


14, 


1785, of 
Patience 


Feb. 


21, 


1787. 


Sept. 


9, 


1788. 


Mar. 


9, 


1790. 



Thomas Peabodt and Elizabeth 
LoNGLEi,* Patience Bartlet. 

(Married ElizalM'th. 1770; I'tuience, 
1785 ) 

Ruth, bori 
Elizabeth, " 

Olive, " 

Polly, » 

Luther, " 

Calvin, " 

Sally, « 

Thomas, " 

William- ^^ 
Bartlett, 
Silence, " 
Edmund- „ 
Longley, 

* Died Feb. 3, 178k 

John Pierce and Hannah. 
John, born May 2, 17.53. 

Sarah, " April 27, 175G. 
Solomon, " Nov. 18, 1759. 

William Porter and Mary. 

John, born Dec. 4, 1747, at 

Lunenburg. 
Mary, " Feb. 3, 1750, do. 
William, " July 20, 1753. 

Jerahmael Powars and Eunice. 

David, born Sept. 13, 1751, at 

Groton. 
Eunice, " July 26, 1754, 

[died April 20, 1756. 
Eunice, " June li>, 1757. 
Asahel, " Sept. 29, 1759. 
Peter, " Aug'. 24, 1762. 

Moses, " Aug. 27, 1764. 
Blanchard, « May 16, 1769, at 

Winchester. 
Anna, " Oct. 2, 1774, at 

Springfield, N. Y. 

David Pratt and Susanna. 
Anna, born June 27, 1772. 
Hannah, " Feb. 11, 1774. 
David, « Oct. 18, 1775. 



Charles Richards and Janet. 



John, born 

Margaret, " 

Wenham ; 
Charles, born 

Mitchel, " 
Edward, " 

Elizabeth, « 

Moses, " 
Eleanor, " 
Suraina, " 



Jan. 13, 1729-n0,at 
Marblehead. 

June 24, 1732, at 

died Aug. 28, 1752, 

May 27, 1735, at 

Wenham. 

Oct. 7, 1737, do. 

Aug. 25, 1740, at 

Lunenburor. 

Feb. 22, 1742-3, at 
Groton. 

May 24, 1745, do. 

April 26, 1748. 

Sept. 15, 1750. 



Charles Richards, Jr. and 
Anna. 
Charles, born Sept. 5, 1757. 
Mary, " Aus- 20, 1759. 
Daniel, " Aug. 23, 1761. 

Mitchel Richards and Esther. 



John, 


born 


Sept. 


18, 1762. 


MitcLel, 


(i 


June 


19, 1764. 


Jonas, 


(( 


May 


4, 1768, at 
Lunenburg 


Esther, 


(( 


Mar. 


11, 1773. 


Elizabeth 


(( 


May 


28, 1775. 


Martha, 


(( 


Jan. 


27, 1780. 



John Russell and Mart. 
Hannah, born Oct. 24, 1754. 

Hezekiah Sawtell and Marga- 
ret. 



Hannah, born 
Sybil, » 

Thankful, " 
Eunice, " 

Phebe, « 
Esther, " 
Sarah, " 

Elizabeth, " 
Dorcas, " 
Susanna, " 
Hezekiah, " 
John, « 



July 17, 1752. 
Sept. 11, 1754, . 
[died June 9, 1765. 
Aug. 24, 1756. 
Nov. 11, 1757, 

[died Oct. 2, 1765. 
Dec. 11, 1759. 
July 30, 1761. 
Sept. 26, 1762, 
[died Mar. 23, 1764. 
Jan. 22, 1765. 
April 1.5, ]7()6. 
Nov. 14, 1767. 
June 7, 1769. 
Oct. 23, 1770. 



496 



SHIRLEY. 



Elnathan Sawteli, and Mart. 
Elnathan, born Sept. 14, 1753. 
Joseph, " Nov. 25, 1755. 

Molly, " Sept. 13, 1757. 

Obadiah Sawtell and Mary,* 

Sarah. 
Lydia, born May 15, 17G0. 
Solomon, " Feb. 23, 1762. 
Sarah, « April 2, 1764. 
Daniel, " July 18, 1766. 
Rebecca, " June 3, 1768. 
Zachariah," Mar. 11,1770, 

[died Feb. 12, 1771. 
Ede, " June 17, 1772, 

[died Aucr. 4, 1772. 
Mary, " Sept. 6, 1778, of 

Sarah. 

» Died Feb. 11-, 1773, set 38 years. 

MosES Sawtell and Elizabeth. 
Had 1 child in Groton, q. v. 

David, born Oct. 17, 1763. 
Reuben, " Feb, 26, 1766. 
Rhoda, " Jan. 12, 1768. 
Amaziah," Jan. 20, 1770. 
Tabitha," May 25, 1772. 

Richard Sawtell and Eliz- 

BETH. 

Sybil, born Dec. 6, 1763. 
Sally, " Nov. 3, 1765. 
Richard, " Feb. 6, 1768. 
Maria, " Aug. 1.3, 1770. 
Phinehas, " Jan. 22, 1773, 

[died Sept. 20, 1775. 
Nabby, » July 1, 1779. 

Nathan Smith and Rebecca.* 
Ezra, born May 29, 17—. 

A , " May 13, 1757. 

Daniel, " Oct. 31, 1762. 
» Died Feb. 12, 1784. 

SiLVANUS Smith and Agnes. 
Silvanus, born Oct. 11, 1766. 
Ruth, " Jan. 28, 1768. 

Hugh, " July 23, 1769. 
Lucy, " Sept. 6,1772. 



Daniel, born Sept. 8, 1773. 
Jerusha, " Sept. 30, 1775, 

[died Dec. 30, 1789. 
Agnes, " Nov. 7, 1777. 

Ephraim Smith and Hannah. 
Sarah, born April 15, 1765. 

John Solendine and Dorcas.* 
John, I born May 22, 17.53. 
Dorcas, ^ " May 23, 1753. 
* Died 3Iay 23, 1753. 

Stephen Stimpson and Maria. 

Asa, born April 27, 1773, at 

Templeton. 

Thirza, " April 28, 1775, at 

Groton. 

Ruth, " Feb. 7,1777. 

Thomas- j i I'/m 

r Jan. 1, 17/9. 

Lawrence. ' 

Stephen, " Feb. 25, 1781. 

Stephen, " July 12, 1783. 

David, " Oct. 10, 1785. 

Sally, " Jan. 20, 1788. 

Nabby, " April 12, 1791. 

Solomon, " May 4, 1793. 

Lucy, " April 4, 1795. 

Seth Walker and Abigail. 
Nathaniel, born Nov. 6, 1742, at 

Groton; died Sept. 23, 1753. 
Sybil, born March 3, 1745, at do. 
Seth, " April 5, 1747, at do. 
Abigail, " June 10, 1750, at do. 
Asa, " Sept. 7, 17.53. 

Isaac, " Mar. 30, 1756. 
Taber, " June 2, 1758. 

Samuel Walker and Mary. 

Samuel, born Mar. 23, 17.53. 

Mary, " Mar. 10, 1755. 

Bathsheba, Feb. 25, 17.57. 

Abel, " July 11, 1759. 

John, " June 3, 17()2. 

Lydia, « Mar. 3, 1765. 

Isaac, « Mar. 18, 1767. 

Ephraim Warren and Sarah, 
Ruth. 

Jacob, born Dec. 2, 1762. 



APPENDIX. 



497 



James, 

Ruth, 

Benjamin, 

William, 

Charles, 

Sarah, 

Elizabeth, 

Joseph, 

Lucy, 

Ephraim, 



born 



Nov. 7, 1766. 
Dec. 21, 1768. 
Aug. 15, 1770. 
Oct. 6, 1772. 
May 7, 1774. 
Nov. 26, 1776. 
Sept. 18, 1778. 
July 26, 1781. 
May 26, 1786, of 
Ruth. 
Sept. 16, 1788. 



Jonathan Warren and Joanna. 

Betty, born Feb. 21, 1771. 
John, « Nov. 18, 1774 



William White, Jr., and Sa- 
rah. 
Nathaniel, born Dec. 21, 1752. 

John Whitney and Hannah. 

Salmon, born June 28, 1759. 
John, " Feb. 23, 1761. 

Ezra Whitney and 

A son born May 17, 1756. 

A daughter born Dec. 18, 1757. 

Names illegible. 

Abner Whitney and Sarah. 

Abner, born Oct. 22, 1755. 
Royal, " Sept. 11, 1757. 

Rev. Phinehas Whitney * and 
Meriam Willard, f Lydia 
Bowes, t Jane Gaffield,§ 
Wid. 

(Married Lydia, 1770.) 

Thomas, born Mar, 19, 1771, mar- 
ried Henrietta Parker ; died Jan. 
14, 1844. 

Nicholas-Bowes, [born March 21, 
1772, married Nancy Adams ; 
died Nov. 6, 1835. 

Lydia, born Sept. 8, 1773, married 
John Watson. 

Elizabeth, born Nov. 8, 1775, mar- 
ried Dr. Amos Parker. 
63 



William, born Oct. 30, 1778, mar- 
ried Betsey Fisk and Martha 
Simonds; died Jan. 30, 1837. 

Rebecca Cook, born Sept. 2, 1781, 
married William B. Meriam. 

Phinehas-Sullivan, born July 6, 
1785, married Lucy Cobb and 
Julia Ann Robinson. 

Sarah, born Dec. 19, 1787. 

Clarissa, " Dec. 2, 1790, married 
Henry Isaacs. 

Charles, " Jan. 2, 1794, married 
Dolly Davenport ; died Oct. 6, 
1832. ,^ ,- 

* Died Dec.«W;i8S& 
t Died ftlar. 20, 1769. 
X Died Oct. 11, 1805. 
\ Died ftlar. 4, 1U24. 

Elijah Wilds and Anne. 

Molly, born Dec. 25, 1754, at 

Groton. 
Olive, " April 7, 1757. 
Phebe, " Feb, 15, 1761. 
Susanna, June 24, 1763. 



Elijah Wilds and Eunice Saf- 

FORD. 

(Married, 1771.) 

Eunice, born Oct. 11, 1772. 
Abigail, " Oct. 1, 1774. 
Olive, " Aug. 15, 177a 
Anna, " Feb. 15, 1779. 
Martha, " Dec. 26, 1781. 

Sarah, wife of Joseph Wilson, 
died Dec. 30, 1762. 

William Williams and Mary. 



Mary, 


born Jan. 4, 1745. 




William, 


(( 


April 18, 1747, 








[died April 15, 


1752. 


Susa, 


u 


Aug. IQ, 1749. 




Isaac, 


u 


April 30, 1753. 




William, 


(( 


May 20, 1754. 




John, 


« 


June 14, 1757. 




Thomas, 


(( 


Feb. 22, 1760, 








[died July 23, 


1763. 


Thomas, 


(( 


July 10, 176-. 




Rebecca, 


(( 


July 26, 1766. 




Sarah, 


u 


May 17, 1770. 





498 



SHIRLEY. 



Lemuel Woods and Sarah. 
Sarah, born Jan. 16, 1769, at 

Groton. 
Hannah, " Oct. 6, 1770, at 

Pepperell. 
Molly, « June 10, 1772. 
Stephen, " May 3, 1774. 
Lydia, « April 15, 1776. 
Levi, « May 19, 178-. 

William Worcester and 

Sampson, born June 11, 1771. 

JosiahJWilliams and Prudence. 
Prudence, boTn June 26, 1751, at 



Josiah, 



Groton. 
June 26, 1753. 



No record of marriages is found 
previous to 1775, except the fol- 
lowing : 

1762, July 1. Nathan Smith,Jr. 
and Ruth Moors. 

1762, Oct. 28. John Gordon and 
Marv Campbell. 

1763, Jan. 27. Samuel Nichols 
and Elizabeth Patterson. 

1763, June 16. Joshua Pierce 
and Eleanor Safford. 



DISTRICT AND TOWN CLERKS OF SHIRLEY. 



Joseph Longley, 1753 to 1758, in- 
clusive. 

Jonathan Moors, 1759 to 1762. 

Obadiah Sawtell, 1763, 1773 to 
1776, and 1779 to 1783, and 
1785. 

John Longley, 1764 to 1770, and 
1772. 

Francis Harris, 1771. 



John Ivory, 1777 to 1778. 
John Kelsey., 1784 and 1786. 
Joshua Longley, 1787 to 1799, and 

180L 
Thomas Whitney, 1800, and from 

1802 to 1841. 
James P. Whitney, 1842 to 1845. 
Zenas Brown, 1845 to 



REPRESENTATIVES TO THE GENERAL COURT, 



Obadiah Sawtell, 1776. 
Nathaniel Holden, from 1806 to 

1810, inclusive. 
John Egarton, 1811 and 1812. 
Adolphus Whitcomb, 1827 to 1829. 
James P. Whitney, 1830 and 

1832. 
Israel Longley, 1833 and 1834. 



Leonard M. Parker, 1835, (removed 

to the Senate.) 
Zenas Brown, 1835 and 1836. 
Thomas H. Clark, 1840. 
Thomas Whitney, Jr., 1841. 
Augustus G. Parker, 1842. 
Jonas Holden, 1843. 
John K. Going, Jr., 1845. 
Charles Butler, 1847. 



SENATORS FROM SHIRLEY. 

Hon. Leonard M. Parker, 1818 to 1821, and 1836 to 1838, and 184a 
Hon. Jaraes P. Whitney, 1845 and 1846. 



APPENDIX. 



499 



DELEGATE IN THE PIIOVINCIAL CONGRESS, 1st AND 2d. 
Francis Harris. 



DELEGATE TO THE CONVENTION TO ADOPT THE CONSTI- 
TUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 



Obadiah Sawtell. 



DELEGATE TO ALTER AND AMEND THE STATE CONSTITU- 
TION, IN 1821. 

Nathaniel Holden, Esq. 



POPULATION OF SHIRLEY, AT SEVERAL TIMES. 



In 1760, 


430 inhabitants. 


In 1820, 


922 in 


liab 


1790, 


677 " 


1830, 


991 


(( 


1800, 


713 « 


1840, 


957 


(( 


1810, 


814 









THE END. 




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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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